Australia XI for 2nd AUS vs BAN Test: Nathan Lyon picked despite Pat Cummins 'all-pace' call
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Nathan Lyon featured in the first Test against Bangladesh.
Bangladesh are in Australia for a two-match Test series. The first match started on August 13 in Darwin, and the visitors wrapped up the match on the fourth day itself, winning the contest by 9 wickets. This registered their first Test win against Australia on the Australian soil.
Hasan Mahmud was the Player of the Match for his brilliant 9-wicket haul in the Test, with six in the first innings. Steve Smith held Australia’s innings together with his fighting 71, however, in vain.
Tanzid Tamim shone with a scintillating century (101), while Najmul Shanto (84) and Mehidy Hasan (65) contributed to put Bangladesh in a commanding position after the first innings. Josh Hazlewood claimed six wickets.
Australia’s senior bowlers Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon had an underwhelming outing in the first Test with only a total of 4 wickets among them. Lyon was unable to contribute with the ball and picked only one wicket. On the contrary, Bangladesh’s off-spinner Mehidy Hasan claimed a five-wicket haul.
There were speculations that Lyon could be dropped ahead of the second fixture. Even captain Pat Cummins suggested that they are planning to go all-pace attack for second Test. However, Cricket Australia has put these speculations to rest confirming their XI for the upcoming match. They have made only one change to their side. Below are more details.
Nathan Lyon continues in Australian line-up, no place for Scott Boland
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Australia have made only one change to their team – the inclusion of Matt Renshaw in place of Jake Weatherland.
This comes shortly after the Aussie skipper Pat Cummins talked about an all-pace bowling attack being under consideration. With the low returns that Lyon had in the first Test, it was expected that he could be rested for the second fixture, however, the veteran continues to be a part of the bowling department for Mackay.
Notably, in the first Test, Bangladesh’s off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz had significant returns with the ball. He registered a five-wicket haul dismissing key batters like Steve Smith and Alex Carey. Australia have the services of players like Travis Head and Steve Smith who can bowl spin if the pitch demands so.
Not just spin, but Bangladesh did better than Australia in the pace department as well. Australia’s Big Three – Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, were outperformed by Bangladesh’s pace trio of Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, and Ebadot Hossain, in their own backyard.
Currently, Australia are the top-ranked team in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 points table, while Bangladesh are ranked fourth. The second and the final Test will be key for both the teams. The match is set to begin on August 22, to be played at Mackay.
Australia XI for second BAN vs AUS Test
Matthew Renshaw, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Will Nathan Lyon play the 2nd AUS vs BAN Test?
Yes, Nathan Lyon will play the 2nd AUS vs BAN Test.
Will Scott Boland play the 2nd AUS vs BAN Test?
No, Scott Boland will not play the 2nd AUS vs BAN Test.
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Cricket runs in the blood of Indians — and that’s something she truly believes in. A law student with a lifelong connection to the game, she has followed cricket passionately since his school days. Like countless young fans, she first experienced the sport on the field before deepening his understanding through constant watching, reading, and conversations around the game. Writing became a natural extension of that passion, bringing a “Pavilion Perspective” to his work — capturing how fans experience matches through their own lens.