Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Australia drop Weatherald, recall Renshaw for second Bangladesh Test
Australia plays a sport called cricket, and the best teams play long matches called Test matches.
Australia recently played a Test match against Bangladesh in a city called Darwin.
Australia lost that match by nine wickets, which means Bangladesh won very easily.
After the loss, the people who pick the team decided to make a change.
They dropped a player named Jake Weatherald because he scored only 23 runs and 0 runs in the match.
They chose Matt Renshaw to take his place instead.
Matt Renshaw is 30 years old and had not played a Test match for more than three years.
The next Test will be played in Mackay on Saturday, and Australia must win it to avoid losing their first series in four years.
The team hopes the new player will help them play better.
Australia made one change for the second Test against Bangladesh, dropping opener Jake Weatherald after his scores of 23 and 0 in Darwin.
Matt Renshaw, 30, was recalled, his first Test appearance in more than three years since Delhi against India in 2023.
Weatherald's Test average fell to 20.36 from 12 innings after Australia's nine-wicket first Test defeat in Darwin.
Australia trail the two-match ICC World Test Championship series 1-0 and must win in Mackay to avoid a first series loss in four years.
Marnus Labuschagne remains in the squad but is under pressure after scores of 1 and 31, with coach Andrew McDonald saying he needs big runs.
- Who
- Cricket Australia's selectors, who dropped Jake Weatherald and recalled Matthew Renshaw
- What
- Australia made one change to their 13-man Test squad for the second Test against Bangladesh
- When
- Announced on Tuesday, ahead of the second Test starting on Saturday, August 22
- Where
- Darwin hosted the first Test; the second Test is at Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, Queensland
- Why
- Weatherald's poor form (23 and 0) after Australia's nine-wicket defeat in Darwin
Stability for the top order
More changes under pressure
Marnus Labuschagne's place at No. 3
Stability for the top order
Labuschagne's place appears safe for now despite scores of 1 and 31 in Darwin.
More changes under pressure
Under pressure after 32 runs in the first Test, he could be dropped, with two changes to the top three possible.
Opening partner for Travis Head
Stability for the top order
Conventional left-hander Matthew Renshaw, with two first-class tons at Mackay, is the box-seat pick.
More changes under pressure
Explosive wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, who impressed with 40 and 125* against England Lions, is an alternative opener.
- First Test result
- Australia lost by nine wickets to Bangladesh in Darwin
- Player dropped
- Jake Weatherald
- Player recalled
- Matthew Renshaw
- Weatherald's first Test scores
- 23 and 0
- Weatherald's Test average
- 20.36 after 12 innings
- Renshaw's last Test
- Delhi, India, in 2023 (over three years ago)
- Renshaw's Sheffield Shield form
- 499 runs at an average of about 50 (articles differ: six matches vs 10 innings)
- Series status
- Australia trail the two-match ICC World Test Championship series 1-0
Sources
Australia Make Big Change After Bangladesh Shock, Star Opener Dropped For 2nd Test
Weatherald dropped from 2nd Bangladesh Test squad after Darwin disaster; Renshaw called in
Australia drop opener Jake Weatherald for 2nd Test vs Bangladesh; Matt Renshaw recalled
Australia axe out-of-form Jake Weatherald, recall Matt Renshaw for second Bangladesh Test
After Darwin defeat, Australia rejig squad for second Test against Bangladesh
