Why Australia’s next Test opponents are in crisis mode

Updated July 21, 2026 — 6:18am,first published 6:08pm

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Previously rivals for the same spot, Cameron Green and Beau Webster may be about to become the allies Australia need to nurse an ageing bowling attack through 21 Test matches in 12 months.

The gruelling schedule provides a strong incentive for Webster and Green to co-exist in Australia’s XI, starting with the squad to be named on Tuesday for two games against Bangladesh in Darwin and Mackay in August.

Cameron Green and Beau Webster.AP

Australia’s rich supply of all-rounders is envied around the world, not least in England following the abrupt retirement of Ben Stokes, but Bangladesh also have cause to wish for that kind of seam and spin bowling cover after the visitors’ fiery young quick Nahid Rana fell prey to injury.

With Josh Hazlewood (35), Mitchell Starc (36), Scott Boland (37) and skipper Pat Cummins (33) not getting any younger, and Nathan Lyon (38) on his way back from a serious hamstring injury, the spread of bowling resources will be critical for Australia.

The two Top End Tests then shape as a helpful pivot point for the national selectors to find the right configuration for the Test side following the retirement of Usman Khawaja. Coach Andrew McDonald had hinted that Green might be tried as an opener, but it now looks more likely that Green will bat number five and Webster at seven after Alex Carey.

Green has been an unpopular member of the Test side among fans in recent times, amid widespread concerns that he has not yet produced the sorts of performances that would merit a long tenure in the side. That contention is sharpened by how Webster has contributed to the team whenever he has played - most recently during the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG in January.

After turning 27 last month, Green has the opportunity to step into a more senior role amid the hectic series of Test assignments against Bangladesh, South Africa, New Zealand, India and England over the next 12 months - plus a World Test Championship final should Australia qualify.

He offered some promising signs with the bat during the recent limited overs tour of Pakistan and Bangladesh, though a truly big score was lacking. Thirty-two-year-old Webster, meanwhile, has performed serviceably and durably for Warwickshire in English county cricket.

Rana, 23, was a pivotal part of Bangladesh’s ODI series win over Australia on home soil in June, often bowling faster than 150kph while impressing observers with his bounce and intelligent lines.

But his chances of doing anything similar in Darwin and Mackay have been severely curtailed by a side strain suffered in a T20 international series in Zimbabwe.

Bangladesh’s selectors were immediately forced into a crisis meeting in Dhaka upon learning that Rana had been injured, with much of their planning for Australia built around the fast man’s ability to be a strike bowler here.

Nahid Rana confronts Josh Inglis.AP Photo/Mosaraf Hossain

While the BCB were awaiting the results of scans, Rana is expected to need at least three weeks to recover, meaning that at best he will be short of match bowling by the time the first Test comes around in Darwin on August 13.

In the second ODI in June, Rana had scooped figures of 4-41, including the wickets of Test men Josh Inglis and Carey. After dismissing Inglis, Rana got into a robust exchange with the acting Australian captain, before they were separated by teammates.

With the Test series being played at the height of the football season, Rana’s pace and fire might have been a worthwhile point of interest for cricket watchers.

Bangladesh’s Test team did not inspire confidence in their most recent outing, being hammered by an innings by Zimbabwe in three days. Rana did not play in that game.

Australia are set to name a squad of 13 or 14 players, though others are likely to join the group in Darwin given likely roles later in the year. Jake Weatherald is expected to retain his spot opposite Travis Head at the top of the batting order.

Lyon is soon to turn 39 and has had a long recovery from the hamstring tear he suffered during the Ashes but is now fit to play, squeezing out Todd Murphy for the moment.

“Very confident I’ll be here next month, feeling very good, the rehab’s been very good,” Lyon said in Darwin earlier this month. “So back to doing everything, running high speed, doing everything like that.

“No-one’s got a right to be selected for Australia. I’m still trying to get better.”

Matt Renshaw and Inglis are waiting in the wings, while Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett are next in line among the pace bowlers.

Possible Australia squad: Pat Cummins (capt), Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Josh Inglis

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Daniel Brettig is The Age's chief cricket writer and the author of several books on cricket.Connect via X.