Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Australia Seek Series-Leveling Win After Bangladesh Test Shock
Australia lost the first cricket Test against Bangladesh by nine wickets.
This was a big surprise because Australia is ranked first in the World Test Championship standings.
Australia now needs to win the second Test to tie the series.
The match will be played in Mackay at Great Barrier Reef Arena.
Australia dropped opening batter Jake Weatherald and brought back Matt Renshaw.
Marnus Labuschagne is also under pressure to score many runs.
Bangladesh is feeling confident after its historic victory.
Its fast bowlers played a major role in the first Test.
If Bangladesh wins again, it will take the series 2-0.
Australia must defeat Bangladesh in Mackay to level the two-match Test series after a nine-wicket loss in Darwin.
Matt Renshaw has been recalled after Jake Weatherald was dropped following Australia's opening-batting struggles.
Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay will host its first Test and become Australia's 12th Test venue.
Bangladesh's pace-focused attack dismissed Australia twice in the first Test and may retain all five bowlers.
A Bangladesh victory would secure a historic series sweep after its first Test win on Australian soil.
- Who
- Australia and Bangladesh, with Australian players including Matt Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne under scrutiny.
- What
- The teams will play the second Test of a two-match series after Bangladesh won the first match by nine wickets.
- When
- The second Test is scheduled to begin Saturday.
- Where
- Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Queensland, Australia.
- Why
- Australia wants to level the series and recover from its unexpected defeat, while Bangladesh wants to build on its historic win and secure a series sweep.
Australia's Redemption Bid
Bangladesh's Series Opportunity
Series objective
Australia's Redemption Bid
Australia needs a decisive victory to level the series and respond to its nine-wicket defeat in Darwin.
Bangladesh's Series Opportunity
Bangladesh wants another win in Mackay to complete a series sweep.
Bowling approach
Australia's Redemption Bid
Australia may rely on improved performances from its established lineup, with Scott Boland among the possible personnel changes.
Bangladesh's Series Opportunity
Bangladesh's pace-focused attack has produced strong results, and Shoriful Islam is available after recovering from a hamstring problem.
Team outlook
Australia's Redemption Bid
Australia remains under pressure, particularly after opening-batting problems and scrutiny of Marnus Labuschagne.
Bangladesh's Series Opportunity
Bangladesh can approach the match with greater freedom after its historic first Test win on Australian soil.
- Series status
- Bangladesh leads the two-match Test series 1-0.
- First-Test result
- Bangladesh defeated Australia by nine wickets in Darwin.
- Australia selection
- Matt Renshaw returned to the squad after three years out of the Test setup, while Jake Weatherald was dropped.
- Bangladesh bowling
- Bangladesh's shift toward a pace-centred attack contributed to its first-Test success.
- Venue milestone
- Great Barrier Reef Arena will become Australia's 12th Test venue.
- Player milestone
- Alex Carey is set to play his 50th Test.
- Selection pressure
- Marnus Labuschagne has been told he needs to score heavily in Mackay to retain his place.