Khairul Alam ; Dhaka – The Australian cricket team is currently in Dhaka ahead of their white-ball series against Bangladesh, which features three ODIs and three T20Is.
The two sides are set to clash in the first ODI tomorrow, Tuesday, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
However, Australia will be without the services of explosive batter Travis Head for the entire tour, while regular skipper Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the ODI leg as he continues his recovery from an injury. Leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha has also been sidelined, Cricket Australia confirmed.
Squad Structural Changes
Although selectors originally included Travis Head in both the ODI and T20I squads, the 32-year-old requested a leave of absence from the Bangladesh tour due to personal reasons.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh is undergoing rehabilitation for an ankle injury; while he will miss the ODI series, Cricket Australia selector Tony Dodemaide expressed optimism that Marsh will join the squad for the subsequent T20I matches.
Leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha was ruled out completely after sustaining a hamstring injury during Australia’s recent tour of Pakistan.
In response to these absences, Cricket Australia has named three replacements: Matt Short, Ollie Peake, and Todd Murphy. Notably, off-spinner Todd Murphy—who has previously represented Australia in seven Test matches—has received his maiden ODI call-up.
Leadership and New Opportunities
Australia’s squad was already short on international experience given the absence of frontline fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
The sudden unavailability of senior figures like Head and Marsh presents a further tactical challenge. However, interim captain Josh Inglis views this development as a valuable testing ground for peripheral players.
Commenting on the newcomers, Inglis remarked:
“It’s a great experience for them. I told Oliver Peake that conditions don’t get much tougher for an Australian cricketer than this; these surroundings are entirely different for us.”
He added, “I told him to enjoy the whole experience. A lot of our players are still learning how to construct their game plans in these conditions—figuring out how to handle reverse swing, heavy spin, and similar subcontinental challenges.”
Series Schedule
The multi-format series kicks off tomorrow in Mirpur. The subsequent ODIs will take place at the same venue on June 11 and June 14. Following the 50-over games, the action will shift to Chattogram for the T20I series, with matches scheduled for June 17, 19, and 21.
Australia Squads for Bangladesh Tour
ODI Squad:
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, Adam Zampa.
T20I Squad:
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, Adam Zampa.