Australia eye four-man pace attack to beat Bangladesh in Mackay Test

Australia are considering a four-man pace attack for the series-deciding third Test against Bangladesh in Mackay as they look to avoid a historic Test series defeat.

The final Test of the three-match series will begin at Great Barrier Reef Arena on Saturday (August 22).

Australia must win to level the series after Bangladesh secured a memorable victory in Darwin. A draw would hand Bangladesh their first-ever Test series win over Australia.

Australia captain Pat Cummins has hinted at changes to the playing XI, with experienced spinner Nathan Lyon potentially making way for Scott Boland. The move would allow the hosts to field four specialist fast bowlers against Bangladesh.

According to Fox Sports, Lyon could be left out, with Boland joining Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in the pace attack. If that happens, it would be the fifth time in Australia's last eight Tests that they have played without a specialist spinner.

Lyon has remained part of Australia's squad since suffering a hamstring injury during the Adelaide Test of the Ashes but was not selected for the subsequent Melbourne and Sydney Tests.

A second change to Australia's XI also appears likely after Jack Weatherald struggled in both innings of the Darwin Test. The local opener was dropped from the squad and replaced by Matt Renshaw, who could open alongside Travis Head in Mackay.

Australia have yet to officially announce their XI, but the possible move to a pace-heavy attack suggests the hosts are prioritising aggression against Bangladesh's batting lineup.

With the series on the line, Australia face a must-win Test to prevent Bangladesh from completing one of the biggest Test series upsets in their history.