05 August, 2017
Selectors had planned to announce their final Test squad member following the scheduled Australia A tour of South Africa in July and August, where Bird, Chadd Sayers, Chris Tremain and Swepson were set to lead the bowling attack.
Fast bowler Jackson Bird has replaced James Pattinson in Australia's squad for their upcoming tour of Bangladesh.
Swepson's position was confirmed on Saturday, after the national selectors opted against adding a fourth fast bowler, as had been the plan.
Australia's 13-man squad was initially named in June to play test matches at Mirpur from August 27 and Chittagong in early September.
In the event, the selectors plumped for a spinner, keeping the conditions in Bangladesh in mind. Even the spin department wasn't too heavy before the inclusion of Swepson as they had named only one frontline spinners - Nathan Lyon - in the squad to go with the spin services of Ashton Agar and Glenn Maxwell. "Mitchell is a very exciting young leg-spinner who we think will benefit immensely from further experience in the subcontinent".
The pace duties will be shared between Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson.
The 27-year-old Pattinson has been in career-best form since returning to first-class cricket in the second half of last summer.
Leg-spinner great Shane Warne has provided strong public and private support for Swepson, having called for him to be selected for India, and also to play in the first Test. Warne has also given him a one-on-one practice session.
Australia will start their tour with a two-day warm-up game in Fatullah on August 22 and 23.
The loss of Pattinson comes after fellow quick Mitchell Starc was ruled out of the two-Test series two months ago due to a foot injury.