Australia are set to start with what looks like a full-strength side, and given the busy  schedule of Test match cricket coming up, it is understandable that they would want to  use their strongest available squad. There are also a number of selection dilemmas that  Australia need to sort out, which makes these matches against Bangladesh particularly  important for several players. 

At the top of the order, Jake Weatherald has a great opportunity. It feels like he has two  Test matches, or four innings, to prove himself at Test match level. Playing Bangladesh at  home gives him an excellent chance to make a strong case for himself. There are players  such as Sam Konstas and Matthew Renshaw waiting in the wings and knocking down the  door in terms of being the next options. Australia therefore have alternatives, and that  makes these a massive couple of games for Weatherald. 

He has also been playing in England, turning out for Leicestershire, where he has scored  some runs. He has also tinkered with his technique, which is completely normal after  getting an opportunity at Test match level. When you go into Test cricket, you get a chance  to have a look at your game and work out where you need to improve. You also learn about  your weaknesses and strengths at that level, some of which do not necessarily get exposed  in domestic cricket. 

That experience can be important. Weatherald will be hoping that what he learned from his  time in Test cricket and his stint playing in England will allow him to come back strongly. It  is therefore worth keeping an eye on him and seeing how he responds to this opportunity. 

There is also the situation involving Scott Boland. It looks like he may miss out, and you  have to feel for him because he is a terrific cricketer. He is the sort of player who, if he played for most other sides around the world, would probably play a whole lot more  cricket. However, Australia’s depth in the fast-bowling department means that he could  find himself outside the XI despite being an outstanding cricketer. 

Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins would be the frontline attack, while the  likes of Beau Webster and Cameron Green could provide the all-round options. That  means Australia have all their bases covered. For Boland, it is a difficult situation, but his  presence also keeps Hazlewood, Starc and Cummins on their feet because they know  there is a player ready to come into the side at any point.

The balance between Green and Webster is another interesting selection question. There  may be a school of thought that the two cannot play together because they offer something  fairly similar as batting all-rounders. However, the feeling is that both could play. Webster  has played around seven or eight games, while Green has played around 37 games, so  there is a significant difference in their experience. 

There is also some pressure on Green. He has an enormous amount of natural talent and is  a very fine cricketer. However, in Test match cricket, there is a feeling or perception that  there is probably even more in the tank from him. This is a great opportunity for Green to  start what could be a long Test match journey over the next couple of years with a really big  score and a major contribution. 

Another player to keep an eye on over the longer term is Josh Inglis. I feel Inglis could start  becoming involved with Australia’s top order at some point over the next year or so.  Whether that eventually affects Labuschagne remains a possibility. However, Inglis is not  expected to play this Test match despite being part of the squad. 

The expectation is that Inglis will become more involved as the next couple of years go on.  That means there will be some pressure on Australia’s existing top order to really fire and  perform. With players waiting for opportunities, those already in the side will need to make  the most of their chances. 

Australia are right to try to play a full-strength side. It is also something Bangladesh should  enjoy because they will know they are playing against a strong Australian team. There have  been occasions when Bangladesh have travelled for away Test matches and the  opposition has not necessarily always played its frontline XI. This time, however, they  appear set to face a very strong Australian side, which makes it a great Test match for  Bangladesh. 

The return of Pat Cummins is another major positive for Australia. He has been missing  quite a lot of cricket because of injuries, so getting him back into Test match cricket is a  real plus. His return strengthens an already formidable bowling attack. 

As far as Bangladesh are concerned, they have a decent side. Their biggest area of concern  against this Australian team, particularly in Australia, is likely to be the top order. Players  such as Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das have quality, but the challenge will be  adapting to the conditions and understanding which balls to leave. 

Knowing what ball to leave and understanding which lengths can safely be left alone is a  major part of batting in these conditions. Bangladesh have had one warm-up game, and 

they were heavily beaten. They were bowled out for around 54 in the second innings, which  illustrates the challenge that awaits their top order. 

Bangladesh do have batting depth, though. Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque and Mehedi  Hasan provide experience and options in the late middle order, with players who can  contribute as all-rounders. They also have a reasonable bowling attack. 

The major question for Bangladesh will be whether they can withstand Australia’s frontline  seam attack and put together a decent first-innings score. That is likely to be their biggest  challenge. They do have batting depth, but the issue is whether that depth can come to the  fore if the top order does not fire. 

That makes this a tall order for Bangladesh. The expectation is that it could be a very one sided game, although, of course, time will tell. For Bangladesh, however, it is a significant  opportunity. They have the chance to show that they have players capable of competing at  this level, in Australia, against one of the very best sides out there. 

For Australia, meanwhile, the matches provide an opportunity to settle some selection  questions and assess several players ahead of their busy Test schedule.