Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Australia announce playing XI for first Test against Bangladesh
Cricket is a sport played with a bat and ball.
Australia and Bangladesh are going to play two big cricket games called Test matches.
Before the first game, Australia told everyone which players will play.
Australia picked their three fast bowlers: Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
That means another very good bowler, Scott Boland has to sit out.
Nathan Lyon is also back in the team after an injury.
The first game will be in a city called Darwin, in Australia.
It starts on August 13 and ends on August 17.
These games are part of a big competition called the World Test Championship.
Australia is second in that competition, and Bangladesh is fourth.
Australia named Josh Hazlewood over Scott Boland for the first Test against Bangladesh, reuniting the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood.
Nathan Lyon returns to the XI after missing the latter part of the Ashes due to a hamstring injury.
Cameron Green and Beau Webster keep their places as Australia continues with two pace-bowling all-rounders.
The first Test runs August 13-17 at Marrara Stadium in Darwin, with the second Test from August 22-26 at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.
The two-match series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle, with Australia ranked second and Bangladesh fourth.
- Who
- Australia's cricket team, captained by Pat Cummins, and Bangladesh
- What
- Australia announced their playing XI for the first Test against Bangladesh, with Josh Hazlewood preferred over Scott Boland
- When
- First Test scheduled August 13-17; the announcement was made on the eve of the Test
- Where
- Marrara Stadium in Darwin, Australia
- Why
- The two-match Test series is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle
- Match
- First Test, Australia vs Bangladesh
- Dates
- August 13-17
- Venue
- Marrara Stadium, Darwin
- Second Test
- August 22-26, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay
- Australia captain
- Pat Cummins
- Key selection
- Josh Hazlewood preferred over Scott Boland
- Returning players
- Nathan Lyon (hamstring recovery) and Josh Hazlewood
- World Test Championship
- Australia ranked 2nd, Bangladesh ranked 4th