Australia Drop Weatherald and Recall Renshaw for Second Bangladesh Test
Matt Renshaw replaces Jake Weatherald in Australia’s 13-man squad for the Mackay Test, while Marnus Labuschagne keeps his place after the Darwin defeat.
By SportCricket Desk · 18 Aug 2026 · 3 min read
Australia have made a single change to their 13-man squad for the second Test against Bangladesh in Mackay: Matt Renshaw comes in for Jake Weatherald after the heavy defeat in Darwin.
Why Weatherald missed out
Weatherald made 23 in the first innings in Darwin and a duck in the second. The 30-year-old has 224 runs in six Tests at an average of 20.36 since playing through last season’s Ashes. He altered his technique during the county season, but it did not bring the results he wanted. Head coach Andrew McDonald said it is hard to tell from such a small sample whether the changes can hold up under Test pressure.
Renshaw’s return
Renshaw is back in the Test squad for the first time since 2023. The left-hander had been on standby before the series and trained with the squad at the Brisbane camp. He earned the call after averaging 49.90 in last season’s Sheffield Shield with three centuries. In 14 Tests he averages 29.31, with a highest score of 184 against Pakistan in 2017.
His selection reflects Australia’s search for a settled opening partner since David Warner retired in 2024. Travis Head now opens with Usman Khawaja, and Steven Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne and Weatherald have all been tried at the top.
Labuschagne stays despite scores of 1 and 31 in Darwin and will need runs in Mackay. Australia are expected to consider a frontline spinner there, with Nathan Lyon likely to play alongside the pace attack.
Squad for the second Test
Travis Head, Matt Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis and Scott Boland.
