Australia have been handed a huge boost to their bowling attack with the return of Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood to the squad for their two-Test series against Bangladesh.

The trio played just three Tests between them during the home Ashes series, with Hazlewood missing from Australia’s Test side since July 2025.

Their returns – alongside the selections of seamers Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland – could create a selection headache for Baggy Greens’ head coach Andrew McDonald, with Boland taking 20 wickets in the series against England as Australia won the series 4-1.

“Scotty would never say it, but I think he’s mounting a strong case that when you use the words of big three (fast bowlers), that he could be one of those,” Australia’s chief selector George Bailey said.

The returns of Hazlewood and Cummins mean that Michael Neser misses out despite taking 15 wickets in the winter Ashes series.

The squad does see a return for opener Jake Weatherald though, who has looked in fine fettle for Leicestershire in the County Championship, scoring 483 runs at an average of 60.37. Weatherald, 31, could open the batting for Australia in his home town if selected for the first Test in Darwin, starting on August 13.

Warwickshire overseas player Beau Webster also provides an all-round option for Australia in the middle order, with Cameron Green also looking to make an impact after a disappointing Ashes series with both bat and ball.

Australia’s two-Test series against Bangladesh, with the second Test being played in the Queensland town of Mackay, will provide preparation for a formidable three-Test tour of South Africa to come in October.

Australia 13-man squad vs Bangladesh:

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

Alex Scott has turned down a new Bournemouth contract amid strong interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, Sky Sports News understands.

Bournemouth have made Scott a number of offers since discussions began towards the end of the season – but it is believed the midfielder has indicated he is not currently willing to agree new terms.

The Cherries do not want to sell the talented midfielder, who has entered the final two years of his current contract, and have already knocked back inquiries from the Premier League trio.

United, Chelsea and Arsenal are believed to remain the frontrunners for Scott, who travelled to the States with the England squad ahead of the World Cup, while other clubs are also keen.

Bournemouth expect Scott to remain their player next season whether he signs a new offer or continues on his current deal.

It is part of their club-wide stance to keep their best players, which also includes Junior Kroupi and winger Rayan – two more players who have interest from other clubs.

Analysis: How good is the ‘Guernsey Grealish’?

Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:

It has been the summer where midfielders are hot property.

Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Youri Tielemans have all made Premier League moves in this transfer window – the majority of them going for huge fees.

Alex Scott is another player who could expect a move this summer. The huge interest from the so-called ‘Big Six’ is absolutely no surprise.

Scott very nearly made England’s World Cup squad this summer with Thomas Tuchel revealing earlier this summer that he was unlucky to miss out. A stellar Premier League season was behind that claim.

Scott ranks very highly in the defensive metrics among Premier League midfielders. But he is not just a defensive option. Affectionately named ‘The Guernsey Grealish’, Scott has superb dribbling ability and timing – as seen with his match-winning goal against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in April.

Given £116m signing Anderson has already gone, Scott is not a bad alternative option for the big clubs.

It is worth remembering that when England Under-21s won their European Championships, the Young Lions’ midfield was marshalled by both Anderson and Scott.

Will Scott therefore join Anderson in a big move this summer?

Rose confident on keeping Kroupi, Scott and Rayan

New Bournemouth boss Marco Rose is confident he can keep hold of highly-rated trio Kroupi, Scott and Rayan ahead of the club’s first European campaign.

“I think Alex knows what he has with this club, and it’s always about the right moment to do the next step,” said Rose last week.

“Because if you are a young player and you do steps – and nowadays it happens many times – too fast, too quick, then it’s getting difficult. The club is doing a lot of things to show the players that they are in the right place.

“So far, it’s not a challenge for me, to be honest. The first four days, we are in touch and my feeling is that the boys are feeling really good here.

“Kroupi made great improvement last season, so I think for him there’s no ceiling. Even he knows that he’s in a good place to improve.

“He’s playing in Europe, he’ll have many games and he’s playing in the most competitive and intensive league in the world. So far I don’t have the feeling that anyone is trying to leave the club.”

Joshua is just shy of three months older than Prenga, but their careers have followed very different paths.

After winning gold at the 2012 Olympics, Joshua turned professional the following year and went on to become a two-time heavyweight world champion.

Joshua won each of his first 16 fights inside the distance in a run that culminated in him beating Charles Martin to claim the IBF title.

His crowning moment came in 2017 when he stopped Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round at Wembley to unify titles – adding the WBA belt to his collection.

In 2018, Joshua outpointed Joseph Parker – winning by unanimous decision – to claim the WBO title.

Joshua tasted defeat for the first time against American Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019 but earned revenge to reclaim the titles in a rematch.

He was beaten in successive fights by Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022, before embarking on a four-fight winning streak to earn the chance to become a three-time world champion.

However, fellow Briton Daniel Dubois, who held the IBF belt, put in a career-best performance to beat Joshua by sixth-round knockout in September 2024 at Wembley Stadium.

Joshua returned to the ring in December 2025 and stopped YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul to take his overall record to 29 wins and four defeats, with 26 of his victories coming by knockout.

Prenga made his professional debut three years after Joshua and won his first four fights by knockout.

The Albanian fell to his first and only loss in his fifth bout and steps into the ring on Saturday on a 16-fight winning streak, although he does not have any recognisable names on his record.

Prenga does carry a knockout threat after picking up all 20 of his victories in that fashion.