Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Simmons Warns Australia Will Return Stronger for Second Test
Bangladesh beat Australia by nine wickets in the first Test.
This gave Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the series.
The second Test will be played in Mackay on Saturday.
Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons thinks Australia will play much more strongly this time.
He wants his team to keep improving and stay focused.
Simmons said the team kept working hard even after scoring only 54 in a warm-up match.
Shoriful Islam has joined the squad and could play.
However, Simmons usually prefers not to change a team that has just won.
Bangladesh leads Australia 1-0 after a historic nine-wicket victory in Darwin.
Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons expects Australia to respond more aggressively in the second Test.
Simmons urged Bangladesh to maintain or improve its performance by at least 1% in key areas.
Left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam has joined the squad and impressed during net sessions.
Simmons is reluctant to change a winning team despite considering Shoriful’s inclusion.
- Who
- Bangladesh and Australia, with Bangladesh coached by Phil Simmons.
- What
- Bangladesh is preparing for the second Test after taking a 1-0 series lead with a nine-wicket win.
- When
- The second Test starts Saturday; Simmons discussed preparations on Thursday.
- Where
- The match will be played at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Australia, following the opener in Darwin.
- Why
- Australia is expected to respond strongly, so Bangladesh must maintain or improve its performance to preserve its advantage.
- Series position
- Bangladesh leads the two-Test series 1-0.
- First Test result
- Bangladesh defeated Australia by nine wickets in Darwin.
- Second Test
- The match starts Saturday at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.
- Bangladesh coach
- Phil Simmons said Australia would come back strongly.
- Squad development
- Left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam has joined Bangladesh’s squad.
- Selection approach
- Simmons said he generally avoids changing a winning team.
- Warm-up result
- Bangladesh was bowled out for 54 by a Cricket Australia XI before the first Test.