Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Australia begin home season with Bangladesh Test in Darwin
Two cricket teams, Australia and Bangladesh, are about to play a Test match in the city of Darwin, Australia.
A Test match is a special kind of cricket game that can last up to five days.
This is the first of two matches the teams will play against each other in Australia.
It has been 23 years since Bangladesh last came to Australia to play a Test series.
Back in 2003, Australia won that series 2-0.
Captain Pat Cummins leads Australia, while Najmul Hossain Shanto captains Bangladesh.
The match is part of a big competition called the World Test Championship, where teams earn points for winning.
Australia is currently at the top of that competition, and Bangladesh is in fourth place.
The match starts very early in the morning in India, at 6 AM.
Fans in India may not be able to watch it because no TV channel or streaming service has been announced yet.
Australia host Bangladesh in the first Test of a two-match series at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin, starting Thursday.
It is Bangladesh's first Test tour of Australia in 23 years; their 2003 series ended in a 2-0 defeat.
Australia top the WTC 2025-27 standings with 84 points (PCT 87.50), while Bangladesh are fourth with 28 points (PCT 58.33).
Play begins at 6 AM IST (10 AM local time) on day one, with the toss at 5.30 AM IST; fans in India have no announced broadcaster or streaming service.
Josh Hazlewood returns to Australia's Test XI after more than a year, joining Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins in the pace attack.
- Who
- Australia, captained by Pat Cummins, and Bangladesh, captained by Najmul Hossain Shanto.
- What
- The first Test of a two-match Test series between Australia and Bangladesh.
- When
- Thursday, the start of Australia's 2026-27 home season; play begins at 6 AM IST (10 AM local time).
- Where
- Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin, Australia.
- Why
- The series counts toward the World Test Championship 2025-27, in which Australia lead the standings and Bangladesh sit fourth.
- Series
- Two-match Test series between Australia and Bangladesh
- Venue
- Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin
- Match start
- 6 AM IST (10 AM local time) on all days
- Toss
- 5.30 AM IST (9.30 AM local time) on day one
- WTC standings
- Australia 1st (84 points, PCT 87.50); Bangladesh 4th (28 points, PCT 58.33)
- Captains
- Pat Cummins (Australia), Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh)
- India viewing
- No official broadcaster or streaming service announced
- Notable return
- Josh Hazlewood back in Australia's Test XI after more than a year
