Australia to Host Bangladesh for Test Series After 23 Years

February 25, 2026

Sydney: Cricket Australia has officially confirmed that the Australia men’s cricket team will host Bangladesh for a two-match Test series in August 2026, marking the first time in 23 years that Bangladesh will play a Test series in Australia. The tour was announced on 25 February 2026, as part of the ongoing 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle.

The opening Test will begin on 13 August at Marrara Stadium in Darwin a venue returning to the Test calendar after more than two decades. The second and final Test is scheduled to be played from 22–26 August at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. These fixtures kick-off Australia’s packed Test season and highlight a rare winter Test cricket window outside the traditional summer schedule.

Return of Test Cricket to Darwin and First in Mackay

Darwin will once again host Test cricket for the first time since 2004, when Sri Lanka played there. This series marks the return of international red-ball cricket to northern Australia, a significant milestone for venues beyond the traditional southern state stadiums.

The Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay will become Australia’s 12th men’s Test venue with the second match of the series, hosting its first ever Test match. This broadens the geographic spread of Test cricket in Australia and reflects efforts to utilize world-class facilities across the country.

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg expressed enthusiasm about bringing Test cricket to northern regions and praised the availability of high-standard facilities that make an August Test window viable even outside the usual summer months.

Series Context and ICC World Test Championship

The Bangladesh tour will form a part of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship, where teams accumulate points over scheduled series to qualify for the final. Australia currently led the championship standings, having recently concluded a dominant 4–1 Ashes victory against England earlier in the season.

Bangladesh, ranked eighth in the championship, will aim to sharpen their Test credentials under challenging overseas conditions, adding valuable experience to their red-ball lineup. The series follows Bangladesh’s home Test series against Pakistan in May, offering momentum and competitive preparation before the Australian visit.

Long-Awaited Tour for Bangladesh

This Test tour marks only the fourth Test series between Australia and Bangladesh, and just the second to be hosted in Australia after their previous visit in 2003. Plans for earlier tours, including a 2020 tour to Bangladesh, were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and scheduling conflicts.

The August Test window offers a rare opportunity for Bangladesh to compete in Australian conditions, widely regarded as challenging due to pace and bounce. This series allows Bangladesh to test their resilience and strategy in diverse conditions, while Australia will look to maintain their strong home Test form.

Broader Cricket Calendar for Australia

The Bangladesh Tests will start what is shaping up to be one of the busiest 12-month schedules in Australian Test cricket history. After the Bangladesh series, Australia will travel to South Africa for three Tests before returning home for a packed summer of red-ball and white-ball fixtures that include engagements against New Zealand, India, and England, as well as special centenary and Ashes matches.

This full cricket calendar underscores Australia’s depth and continuity in the format while offering international audiences extensive Test action across hemispheres.

What Fans Can Expect

Cricket fans both in Australia and Bangladesh are expected to show strong interest in the series, which revives a long dormant fixture between the two nations. Broadcasting plans include coverage on Foxtel, Kayo Sports, and Seven Network/7plus, ensuring wide access to live action for supporters.

The series not only provides competitive cricket but also brings Test cricket back to regions like Darwin and Mackay, showcasing Australia’s expanding national footprint as a host of the game’s premier format.

Australia’s August 2026 two-Test series against Bangladesh marks a historic return of Test cricket between the nations after 23 years. With matches in Darwin and Mackay, the tour will be part of the ICC World Test Championship and signal a major expansion of the cricket calendar beyond traditional venues and seasons.