Australia include Mitchell Swepson for Bangladesh tour; Mitchell Starc excluded

Australia include Swepson for Bangladesh tour; Starc excluded

After much trouble and speculation, Australia were given go-ahead for their two-Test tour to Bangladesh later this month. Australian selectors, earlier this morning, named a 14-member squad that included Mitchell Swepson, who unexpectedly was picked ahead of Steve O’Keefe. The 23-year old leg-spinner has played 14 First-Class games for Queensland, picking 41 wicket at 32.82. Speaking about the side, Trevor Hohns said, “We are comfortable with the fast-bowling stocks we have in the squad so have opted to add an additional spinner given the conditions we are likely to face in Bangladesh.”

The national selector further added, “Mitchell is a very exciting young legspinner who we think will benefit immensely from further experience in the sub-continent.” Apart from Swepson, Australia have included Nathan Lyon as their lead spinner with Aston Agar and Glenn Maxwell acting as back-up.  Steven Smith continues to lead the side, with David Warner as his deputy. They have also named Hilton Cartwright in the side, along with Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Matt Renshaw and Matthew Wade. The pace duties will be shared between Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson. Australia will begin their preparations for the Bangladesh tour next week when the squad heads to Darwin for a pre-tour camp. Smith-led side will play a two-day tour match in Fattulah on August 22-23 before the first Test on August 27.

Australia Squad: Steven Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Ashton Agar, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Matthew Wade (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson