Australia hosts Bangladesh in a rare two-match Test series starting August 13, 2026, launching the home red-ball season as winter cricket arrives in the Top End, according to reporting by ABC News and News18. The opening Test takes place at Marrara Stadium in Darwin, while the second fixture begins on August 22 at Harrup Park in Mackay, which will become the 12th venue to host a men’s Test match in Australia.
Schedule and Match Venues
The first Test gets underway in Darwin on Thursday, August 13, with the first session starting at 10:00 am ACST, translating to 6:00 am IST, according to News18. Australia played South Africa in a T20 international at Marrara Stadium last year, and the venue previously hosted Test matches against Bangladesh in 2003 and Sri Lanka in 2004, where Australia holds a 100 percent winning record in the format, according to ABC News.
The second Test begins on Saturday, August 22, at Harrup Park in Mackay, Queensland, starting at 10:00 am AEST (5:30 am IST). According to ABC News, Mackay has never hosted a men’s Test match before, though the ground previously hosted a youth Test match between Australia and India’s under-19 sides last year, along with limited-overs fixtures.
Each Test is scheduled for five days. Live coverage is available on the ABC Listen App and ABC Sport live blog in Australia, while Star Sports and Jio Hotstar handle broadcast duties in India, according to News18.
Squads and Team Selections
World No. 1 Test team Australia enters the series sitting at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 points table. Pat Cummins returns alongside Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon following injury layoffs, according to ABC News.
Australia’s full-strength squad includes Pat Cummins (C), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, and Beau Webster, as reported by News18. This depth left Michael Neser out of the selection before a hamstring injury sidelined the Queenslander.
Bangladesh has named a traveling party led by Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), alongside Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Amite Hasan, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (VC), Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Musfik Hasan, and Litton Das.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto acknowledged the strength of the home side in an interview with ESPN Cricinfo cited by ABC News, stating, “I personally liked the fact that they have chosen their full-strength team. They are not taking us lightly.”
Historical Context and Stakes
This tour marks the first time in 23 years that Bangladesh has visited Australia for a Test series, following the 2003 matches that ended in comprehensive innings victories for the hosts, according to ABC News and News18. However, News18 notes that Bangladesh previously secured a 20-run upset against Australia in the first Test of their 2017 series in Mirpur, giving the visitors a historical reference point as they approach the 2026 fixtures.
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