Pat Cummins returns as Australia pick full-strength squad for Bangladesh Tests

XtraTime Newsweek: Cricket Australia have named captain Pat Cummins and senior bowlers, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon for their upcoming test series against Bangladesh.

The National Selection Panel confirmed a near full strength team on Monday. They announced the return of three of Australia's most experienced campaigners following injury setbacks that hampered their home summer. Australia will play Bangladesh in Darwin from August 13 to 17 before flying to Mackay for the second Test on August 22 to 26.

Cummins' return is very remarkable. The Australian captain has not played since winning the Ashes in Adelaide, due to a back stress condition. Surprisingly, the 33-year-old has made only one international appearance in the last year across all forms, the third Ashes Test against England.

With a busy schedule ahead, Australia will be hoping Cummins can have a longer run in the side. If they qualify for the WTC final again, the incumbent World Test Championship holders might play up to 21 Tests in the next year.

Despite outstanding performances by Australia's peripheral players over the injury-plagued summer, the selectors have gone with established talents. Michael Neser, who was part of the extended squad and impressed throughout the Ashes campaign, was left out of the 13-man team despite outstanding performances with both bat and ball.

Todd Murphy and Brendan Doggett, who were in the squad for Australia's most recent Test in Sydney, have both been dropped but remain on standby.

The series will be Australia's first Test since veteran opener Usman Khawaja retired, after one of the most remarkable late-career revivals in Australian cricket.

Australia squad for Bangladesh Test series

Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster