Australia announce playing XI for first Bangladesh Test

DARWIN: Australia have retained their first-choice pace attack for the opening Test against Bangladesh, with Josh Hazlewood preferred over Scott Boland as Test cricket returns to the city after 22 years.

Captain Pat Cummins confirmed Australia's expected XI on the eve of the first Test, with Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Cummins set to feature together for the first time since Australia's tour of the West Indies more than a year ago.

Hazlewood has not played international cricket since October last year after an injury ruled him out of the entire Ashes series. Cummins, meanwhile, featured in only one Ashes Test, making his return to Australia's starting XI for the upcoming series.

Nathan Lyon will also make his return after his Ashes campaign was cut short by a hamstring injury sustained in Adelaide.

Cummins said Lyon's inclusion was a straightforward decision, while the selection of the pace attack was a much closer call between Hazlewood and Boland.

"We were pretty certain we wanted Lyno [Lyon] in, so it was just working out what the make-up of the quicks were," Cummins said.

"We went with Joshy. We obviously know Scotty's class. It's always a pretty tight call. There's not much you can say to Scotty other than there's a lot of cricket coming up, but he knows his worth and how good he is."

Cummins was pleased to see Lyon back in the squad after the spinner played a key role in Australia's Ashes campaign before suffering his injury.

"I was even looking at some footage the other day of that Adelaide Test, and I think that's the best he's bowled in years," Cummins said.

"It was really bad timing, but he's been great. It's been pretty public how hard he's worked over the last six months or so. He's in there every day training, looking for this opportunity.

"He looks in incredible shape. He's been bowling beautifully, and as a captain and team-mate, it's going to be awesome to have him back out there."

Cameron Green and Beau Webster will feature in the middle order alongside wicketkeeper Alex Carey, with Green at No. 5 and Carey retaining his position at No. 6.

Carey had recently indicated that he would be open to batting higher in the order, but Cummins confirmed that the wicketkeeper-batter would remain at No. 6.

"Kez has won a few games for us at No. 6. I like that combination of him and Webster at six and seven," Cummins said.

"I feel like Greeny's a good No. 5. You can try and get funky, but we thought that's how the team will function the best."

Jake Weatherald will open the batting alongside Travis Head, continuing the partnership that began during the Ashes.

Josh Inglis and Boland are the two players from Australia's initial squad who have missed out on selection for the opening Test.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto did not reveal his team's playing XI on the eve of the match, citing a few "niggles" within the camp. However, he confirmed that Litton Das is fit and available for selection.

Australia XI for first Test vs Bangladesh

Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood.