Report

Australia opt to bat, Meredith called in, Soumya returns: Dhaka ODI

Rafiq Hasan · 11/06/2026 · 4 min read

Dhaka ODI: Strategic Shifts as Australia and Bangladesh Revamp Lineups

The second One-Day International between Australia and Bangladesh in Dhaka has served up plenty of pre-match intrigue right from the toss. In a fascinating tactical turn, Australia opt to bat, Meredith called in, Soumya returns to the starting lineup, signaling major changes for both sides as they adjust to a fresh surface at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

The Toss Decision and Pitch Dynamics

Australia’s captain, Josh Inglis, won the toss and made the decisive call to set a target. This represents a complete tactical departure from the opening match of the series, where Inglis elected to bowl first after winning the toss. The reasoning behind this shift lies in the pitch itself. According to team reports, the ground staff have prepared a different pitch for this second encounter compared to the surface used in the opening fixture. This fresh strip is expected to offer different characteristics, prompting the Australian team management to put runs on the board first and apply scoreboard pressure during the run chase.

Riley Meredith’s Shock Recall

The most headline-grabbing selection news from the Australian camp is the inclusion of fast bowler Riley Meredith. This match marks Meredith’s first ODI appearance in five long years, representing a remarkable comeback to the 50-over format. Meredith’s path to the playing XI has been nothing short of a whirlwind. He was initially in Bangladesh as part of the squad preparing for the upcoming T20I series, having previously been part of the ODI squad during Australia’s tour of Pakistan. However, on the morning of this second ODI, Meredith was officially added to the ODI squad and immediately fast-tracked into the playing XI.

He replaces young all-rounder Liam Scott, who made his international debut in the series opener. The decision to bring in the express pace of Meredith suggests Australia is looking to exploit any early bounce and carry on the fresh Dhaka surface, adding a highly potent weapon to their bowling armory alongside Nathan Ellis and Xavier Bartlett.

Marnus Labuschagne’s New Role at Number 7

Another major talking point in the Australian lineup is the positioning of star batsman Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne, who has been enduring a difficult patch and struggling for consistent form in recent times, has been listed to bat down the order at number seven. This tactical demotion or specialized assignment indicates a potential shift in Australia’s middle-order strategy. By placing Labuschagne at seven, the team may be looking to inject more stability into the lower-middle order, or perhaps shielding him from the new ball while allowing aggressive players like Cameron Green and Matthew Renshaw to play more expansive roles higher up. It remains to be seen how the experienced batsman adapts to this relatively unfamiliar position in the batting order.

Bangladesh Bolster Top Order with Soumya Sarkar

On the home side, Bangladesh has made a critical adjustment to their top-order batting unit. Following a string of low scores in the ODI format, opening batsman Saif Hassan has been left out of the side. In his place, the team management has recalled the experienced Soumya Sarkar to open the innings alongside Tanzid Hasan. Sarkar’s return is aimed at providing a more dynamic and aggressive start at the top, a crucial factor if Bangladesh is to successfully chase down whatever total Australia sets on this new Dhaka pitch. With Najmul Hossain Shanto and Tawhid Hridoy following in the order, the onus will be on Sarkar to lay a solid foundation.

Confirmed Playing XIs

Bangladesh:

Tanzid Hasan
Soumya Sarkar
Najmul Hossain Shanto
Tawhid Hridoy
Litton Das (wk)
Mosaddek Hossain
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt)
Taskin Ahmed
Mustafizur Rahman
Nahid Rana
Tanvir Islam

Australia:

Matt Short
Cooper Connolly
Josh Inglis (capt, wk)
Alex Carey
Cameron Green
Matthew Renshaw
Marnus Labuschagne
Xavier Bartlett
Nathan Ellis
Riley Meredith
Adam Zampa

Key Matchups to Watch

With Australia electing to bat first, the opening exchanges between Matt Short and Cooper Connolly against Bangladesh’s opening bowlers, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, will be vital. Additionally, how Bangladesh’s spin spearhead Mehidy Hasan Miraz adapts to the fresh surface will play a massive role in restricting the Australian middle order. For Australia, all eyes will be on Riley Meredith’s opening spell and whether Marnus Labuschagne can find his rhythm at number seven to guide the team to a formidable total.

Rafiq Hasan

Rafiq Hasan is the chief cricket correspondent for The Daily Star, Bangladesh's largest English-language newspaper. Over his two-decade career, he has chronicked the rise of Bangladesh cricket from perennial underdogs to a formidable force in world cricket. Hasan has covered every major ICC event featuring Bangladesh and reported from the press boxes of Lord's, the MCG, and Mirpur. He has a deep understanding of the country's cricket ecosystem—from the Dhaka Premier League rivalries to the politics of the BCB. Known for his balanced analysis and insider access to the dressing room, he wrote the widely acclaimed long-form series "Tigers' Roar: How Bangladesh Changed the Cricket Map." A graduate of the University of Dhaka, Hasan is also a respected voice on global cricket diplomacy, exploring how the sport affects the balance of power in South Asia.