Test cricket returns to Australia's tropical Top End for the first time since 2003 when the hosts face Bangladesh in a two-match series starting Thursday. The inclusion of evergreen pace bowler Scott Boland in the squad, with allrounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster, gives Australia plenty of options with the ball. Rana then suffered a side strain in a Twenty20 international match against Zimbabwe in July and would be absent for up to eight weeks, the Bangladesh Cricket Board said. Busy scheduleThis opening fixture launches a grueling schedule for Australia of 20 test matches over the next 12 months, with the possibility of an additional World Test Championship final if they qualify. After the second test against Bangladesh, Australia travel for a three-test series in South Africa in October, before hosting New Zealand for four tests in the southern summer.