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T<\/span>est cricket Darwin is an oddity, as Australia and Bangladesh prepare for the first five-dayer in the Top End since 2004. But there is something downright strange about the red-ball adventure the Australians are about to embark on.<\/p>\n The two-Test series against Bangladesh, including the second match scheduled for Mackay in two weeks, begins a schedule of at least 20 Tests for the Australian team over the coming 12-month period.<\/p>\n Alex Carey, who was catapulted into conversations as the world\u2019s best gloveman<\/a> after his Ashes performances over the Australian summer, said he cannot wait to begin. \u201cIt\u2019s been a pretty long winter sitting around ready and preparing for the next game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cTo be honest, this group of players are really professional in the way that they look after themselves, really experienced with getting themselves up for each Test match and really match-hardened as well. So for myself, I\u2019m excited by what the future has. But in footy terms, one week at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n The former GWS Giant might be entitled to use a footy-ism, but it is impossible not to look past a series scheduled in the depths of the Australian winter against weak opposition; Bangladesh were skittled for 54 in their second innings in a tour match in Darwin against a Cricket<\/a> Australia XI last week.<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s October series in South Africa is a chance to make up for failures of the past three tours in a country the team has not travelled to for six years. Next year delivers blockbuster five-Test showdowns overseas against India and England.<\/p>\n <\/gu-island><\/p>\n After Australia\u2019s ageing side limped through a successful if injury-plagued summer, it is appropriate to wonder just how the bowlers will be managed in the coming year. Carey straight-batted a question fon how Australia can get the best out of the bowling attack in such a compressed schedule. \u201c[We\u2019re] not looking too far ahead, it\u2019s a game where we play each ball on its merit and is a contest in itself,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have a really good bowling attack \u2013 hopefully they can take 20 wickets each Test match in a short amount of time.\u201d<\/p>\n Captain Pat Cummins is back in the side after playing just one Ashes Test over the summer due to a back issue, and he is joined in the squad by Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon who have also been sidelined. At 33, Cummins is the youngest of Australia\u2019s leading quintet, which also features Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. All are named in the squad for this match, as quicks Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett, as well as spinner Todd Murphy were only included as part of the wider training squad.<\/p>\n All-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster may provide some respite for Australia\u2019s attack, given both are in contention to be named in the XI. The latter believes the pair can play together. \u201cI\u2019ve always said in the last 12 to 24 months when these conversations come up, it\u2019s surely more of a benefit to have more options in that top seven with the ball, and I certainly don\u2019t see it as a direct competition, I feel like it only adds more options,\u201d Webster said.<\/p>\n Webster has been fielding in slips during training in Darwin, and said he feels more confident as a Test player after two years on the team\u2019s fringes. The Tasmanian scored 71 not out and took three wickets in the New Year\u2019s Test, and has scored consistently for Warwickshire in recent months.<\/p>\n
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