Hazlewood, Hastings in line to replace Agar

Speed is set to replace spin for Australia's must-win World T20 match against Bangladesh in Bangalore on Monday.

Captain Steve Smith and national selector Mark Waugh inspected the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch on Sunday, and the skipper's assessment suggests Australia will return to a seam-bowling heavy attack.

"That wicket at the moment has a little bit of grass on it," Smith said.

"It was a bit wet at this stage but obviously it's pretty hot here and dries out pretty quickly.

"I don't think this wicket will take too much turn, compared to the last couple we've seen.

"It looks like a pretty good wicket."

Australia drafted in left-arm orthodox spinner Ashton Agar for their first World T20 match against New Zealand on a turning track in Dharamashala on Friday.

Agar bowled only one over – the third of the match that went for 18 runs comprised of three sixes from Black Caps opener Martin Guptill – in the eight-run loss to their trans-Tasman rivals.

If Smith's pitch analysis is correct, allrounder John Hastings and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood look set to enter the selection debate.

Hastings played all three matches in Australia's preceding T20 tour to South Africa but made way for Agar on Friday, while Hazlewood was the standout bowler in the warm-up loss to the Windies in Kolkata, snaring 3-13 and taking a hat-trick.

"I’m sure he (Hazlewood) will be talked about," Smith said when asked if Hazlewood would be considered for selection.

"He’s obviously got the skills. He hits the seam and if the grass is still there on the wicket he’ll certainly come into contention."

Smith said the Bangalore pitch reminded him of those he has encountered in the Indian Premier League, and expects a high scoring encounter if the conditions stay true to form.

In the four matches at the venue last season that were unaffected by rain, the average first innings score was 196, with two scores in excess of 200.

And in those four matches, the team batting first prevailed as the winner on each occasion.

Quick Single: Bangladesh clash do-or-die for Australia

Australia has won all three encounters with Bangladesh in the shortest format of the game – all three in World T20 tournaments – and Smith expects a tough challenge from the Tigers, who, like their opponents, are desperate for their maiden win.

"They (Bangladesh) are a very much improved side and I think they’ve learnt a lot through Chandika Hathurusingha as coach," Smith said.

"I had the pleasure of working with him at NSW and he’s a very good coach and he’s taught them quite a lot.

"They’ve improved a lot over the last couple of years and it’s going to be a big challenge for us tomorrow night."