Usman Khawaja has been dropped for the second Test against Bangladesh

USMAN Khawaja has been axed after just one Test match as Australia go with three spinners, one paceman and Hilton Cartwright to face Bangladesh.

Usman Khawaja dropped for the second Test against Bangladesh.

USMAN Khawaja has been axed after just one Test match as Australia go with three-pronged spin attack in Chittagong and Hilton Cartwright is given golden opportunity to push Ashes claims.

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade has survived as expected, but is on his last chance in Test cricket and desperately needs big runs as Australia look to avoid the chastening low of series defeat to Bangladesh.

Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first, putting even more pressure on an Australian side struggling to post big runs in the sub-continent.

Usman Khawaja has been dropped for the second Test.

The spinners will have a huge task on day one with rainy skies clear to start play, however, once again it’s likely Australia will have to bat last on a crumbling Asian wicket if they’re to win the Test and save the series.

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Steve O’Keefe has completed an extraordinary comeback to immediately re-enter the line-up after believing his test career was over.

The NSW left-armer will play alongside Nathan Lyon and Ashton Agar for the must-win second win against Bangladesh, the first time Australia has taken three spinners into a Test in more than a decade.

Pat Cummins is the sole fast bowler in the attack.

Hilton Cartwright has been called up for the second Test against Bangladesh.

It’s a devastating blow for Khawaja in particular, who was meant to get two Tests in Bangladesh to gear up for an Ashes series after virtually no cricket since January.

However, a poor performance in the first Test in Dhaka combined with a need for greater flexibility due to the three spinners has cost him.

Khawaja is still key to Australia’s Ashes plans and is almost certain to play the first Test at the Gabba, but time will tell whether his confidence takes a knock after once again becoming a casualty on a tour of the sub-continent.

Jackson Bird also had high hopes of playing the Test, and has become an unlucky figure as Australia’s perennial 12th man.

Stephen O’Keefe has also returned to the Australian line-up for the second Test against Bangladesh.

Australia are desperately searching for a No. 6 for the Ashes and now West Australian all-rounder Cartwright is in the box seat.

A big Test to follow on from his debut in Sydney during the summer could secure the big right-hander a spot against England.

Glenn Maxwell, like Wade, could be on his last chance if he can’t fire in a must-win Test.

If Australia loses the series to Bangladesh 2-0 — they will plummet to No. 6 in the world rankings.

Australia XI: David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Steve Smith (capt), Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Matt Wade, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Steve O’Keefe, Nathan Lyon

Bangladesh XI: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim (c/wk), Mominal Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Mehedi Hasan, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

Originally published as Usman Khawaja has been dropped for the second Test against Bangladesh