Australia to Host Bangladesh in First Test as Home Season Kicks Off in Darwin
The two-match series marks Bangladesh's first Test tour Down Under in over two decades and launches Australia's busy 20-Test schedule for the next year.
The story
Test cricket returns to Australia's tropical Top End tomorrow as the hosts prepare to face Bangladesh in the first of a two-match series at Marrara Stadium in Darwin. This series marks Bangladesh's first Test tour Down Under in over two decades and signals the start of a demanding 12-month period for Australia, featuring 20 Test matches including tours to South Africa, India, and England.
Australia enters the series with a full-strength squad, with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon returning to bolster the bowling attack. Travis Head is expected to continue as opener alongside Jake Weatherald.
Bangladesh, however, faces challenges with key fast bowlers Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman, and Shoriful Islam all unavailable for the opening Test due to injury. Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim is also ruled out with a finger injury. Their batting order showed vulnerability in a warm-up match, collapsing for 54 against a Cricket Australia XI.
Latest results
| Match | Format | Result | Star |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates vs Canada | ODI | United Arab Emirates won by 97 runs | Muhammad Jawadullah (UAE) 3/36 |
| Malawi vs Zambia | T20I | Malawi won by 50 runs | Daniel Jakiel (Malawi) 4/9 |
| Malawi vs Rwanda | T20I | Result not available yet |
Series in play
Afghanistan tour of Ireland, 2026. Afghanistan leads the five-match ODI series 2-0 (one match washed out)
ICC Cricket World Cup League Two 2023-27. Ongoing
Malawi Tri-Series 2026. Ongoing
Tables that matter
| Competition | Position | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ICC World Test Championship | Australia (1st) | Australia sits atop the standings with a points percentage of 87.50. |
What we'll be watching
- Ireland vs Afghanistan, 4th ODI, today at Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast (09:45 UTC)
- Rwanda vs Zambia, 4th Match, Malawi Tri-Series, today at TCA Oval (11:00 UTC)
- Australia vs Bangladesh, 1st Test, Day 1, tomorrow at Marrara Cricket Ground (00:30 UTC)
- Norway vs Iran, 1st Match, Norway T20I Tri-Series, tomorrow (07:15 UTC)
- Scotland vs Canada, 127th Match, ICC Cricket World Cup League Two, tomorrow at Forthill (10:00 UTC)
Reporting + analyst voices: grounded via Google Search at publish time.