DHAKA: Australia have announced their 15-man squad for a two-Test tour of Bangladesh, with two players making their Test debut.

The team includes 22-year-old Western Australia batsman Cameron Bancroft and 30-year-old Tasmania fast bowler Andrew Fekete.

The side will be led by new Test captain Steve Smith, who replaces ex-skipper Michael Clarke, BBC reported

Batsman Clarke, 34, was one of five players to retire after this summer's 3-2 Ashes defeat by England.

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, pace bowler Ryan Harris, batsman Chris Rogers and all-rounder Shane Watson also ended their international careers.

Australia's first Test against Bangladesh gets under way on 9 October.

"The retirements of five players from the squad that went on the Ashes tour, as well as issues of injury, form and conditions have brought about a major change in the profile of the touring party from the one that toured the British Isles," said national selector Rodney Marsh.

"But with that change comes a fantastic opportunity for all the players going to Bangladesh."

Left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc is included despite suffering from a bone spur in his ankle, which moves around and occasionally causes chronic pain.

"We have got some pretty important cricket coming including the T20 World Cup and we would like to see Starc lead the attack for that," Marsh added.

"But if he can't, he can't. At the moment the plan is for him to keep going."

Australia squad:

Steven Smith (captain), Adam Voges (vice captain), Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Andrew Fekete, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Nevill, Stephen O'Keefe, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc.

BDST: 1440 HRS, SEP 14, 2015
RS/SMS