{
  "id": 1624921,
  "title": "Weatherald dropped from Test squad after stunning loss to Bangladesh",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/weatherald-dropped-from-test-squad-after-stunning-loss-to-bangladesh",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T03:43:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News",
    "slug": "abc-news",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-18/jake-weatherald-dropped-matt-renshaw-in-australia-test-squad/107050212"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jake Weatherald has been removed from Australia's Test squad for the upcoming second Test against Bangladesh following their surprising defeat in the first Test at Darwin. Matt Renshaw has replaced Weatherald in the 13-player lineup for the second Test at Great Barrier Reef Stadium in Mackay, scheduled to commence on Saturday. Weatherald's performance in the first Test included 23 runs and a duck off the third ball. He made his Test debut during the Ashes series against England last summer and has an average of 20.36 from 12 innings, with a highest score of 72. Renshaw, 30, is now set to open the batting alongside Travis Head for the second Test. Renshaw previously played 11 Tests between 2016 and 2018 before being dropped from the team. He was recalled to the squad in 2023, playing three Tests. The under-pressure Marnus Labuschagne remains in the squad despite his recent poor form, having scored 1 and 31 in his two innings in Darwin and averaging 25.23 from his previous 22 Tests.",
  "summary": "Opening batter Jake Weatherald has been dropped from Australia's Test squad after the side's historic loss to Bangladesh in Darwin.",
  "key_points": [
    "Jake Weatherald dropped from Test squad after loss to Bangladesh",
    "Matt Renshaw replaces Weatherald in lineup for second Test",
    "Renshaw opens batting with Travis Head against Bangladesh"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Dropping Jake Weatherald and inserting Matt Renshaw changes Australia's batting lineup, giving the team a fresh opening partnership and altering the balance after a surprising first Test loss.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Weatherald dropped from Test squad after stunning loss to Bangladesh",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/weatherald-dropped-from-test-squad-after-stunning-loss-to-bangladesh-1626143",
        "published": "2026-08-18T03:43:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}