Monday, 8th June 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 8th June 2026, 5:07 PM
The Australia cricket squad has arrived in Dhaka to compete in a bilateral white-ball tour comprising a three-match One Day International (ODI) series and a three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series. The tour is scheduled to commence at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, where Bangladesh and Australia will face each other in the opening ODI fixture. However, Cricket Australia has confirmed significant alterations to their touring squads due to injuries and personal commitments.
The 32-year-old aggressive top-order batsman, Travis Head, has been entirely ruled out of both the ODI and T20I leg of the Bangladesh tour. Although originally selected by the national panel for both formats, Head withdrew from the squad after requesting a leave of absence from competitive duties due to personal reasons.
In addition to Head’s complete absence, Australia will be without their designated captain, Mitchell Marsh, for the entirety of the three-match ODI series. Marsh, who is currently undergoing a structured rehabilitation programme following an ankle injury, has not recovered sufficiently to feature in the 50-over matches. National selector Tony Dodemaide clarified that whilst Marsh is sidelined for the ODIs, he remains scheduled to join the squad later to assume command for the subsequent T20I series.
Furthermore, leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha has been omitted from the touring party after sustaining a hamstring injury during Australia’s recent tour of Pakistan.
In response to these personnel deficits, Cricket Australia has officially named Matt Short, Ollie Peake, and Todd Murphy as replacements. Amongst the inclusions, off-spinner Todd Murphy receives his maiden call-up to the senior ODI squad. Although Murphy has previously represented Australia in seven Test matches, he has yet to make his debut in the 50-over international format.
The absences of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh add to an already inexperienced Australian line-up, which travelled to Bangladesh without veteran fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Despite these selection challenges, interim ODI captain Josh Inglis maintained a positive outlook regarding the depth of the squad, stating that the situation presents an ideal environment for newer players to demonstrate their capabilities at the international level.
Commenting on the integration of the fresh call-ups into the squad, Inglis noted that confronting the challenging subcontinent environment would provide an excellent learning experience. He detailed a conversation with young batsman Oliver Peake, highlighting that playing in these completely contrasting conditions represents one of the toughest examinations an Australian cricketer can face. Inglis emphasised that many individuals within the touring squad are still actively developing their tactical approaches to counter regional variables such as heavy spin, reverse swing, and low-bouncing pitches.
The bilateral series begins in Mirpur on Tuesday, 9 June, with the opening ODI match. The remaining two 50-over fixtures will be staged at the same Mirpur venue on 11 June and 14 June. Following the conclusion of the ODI leg, both teams will transfer to Chittagong for the T20I series. The three T20Is are scheduled to take place at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on 17 June, 19 June, and 21 June.
The finalised Australian squads for the respective formats are structured as follows:
Australia ODI Squad for Bangladesh Tour: Josh Inglis (Captain), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Ollie Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Liam Scott, Matt Short, and Adam Zampa.
Australia T20I Squad for Bangladesh Tour: Mitchell Marsh (Captain), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, and Adam Zampa.
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