Bangladesh to Play Test Series in Australia After 23 Years

According to the schedule finalized by Cricket Australia on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Bangladesh will play a two-match Test series in August 2026. The matches are strategically scheduled to take place in Northern Australia, specifically in Darwin and Mackay, to take advantage of the favorable dry winter weather in the region.

The series is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), making it a crucial encounter for both nations. The first Test is scheduled to begin on August 13 at Marrara Oval in Darwin, marking the return of Test cricket to the venue for the first time since 2004. The second Test will start on August 22 in Mackay, which will debut as Australia’s 12th Test venue. This tour marks Bangladesh's first Test visit to Australia since 2003, a gap of 23 years that has long been a point of discussion in the cricketing world.

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg noted that hosting these matches in the north allows for international cricket during the traditional Australian winter, utilizing world-class regional infrastructure. While playing in Australian conditions has historically been a significant challenge for subcontinental teams, the Bangladesh squad, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, enters this cycle with renewed confidence following recent historic away wins against Pakistan and New Zealand.

For Bangladesh, this series is not just about the points table but also about proving their mettle in one of the toughest cricketing environments. Having famously defeated Australia at home in 2017, the Tigers will be looking to replicate that success away from home. The announcement has already sparked immense interest among fans globally, as it signals a more inclusive scheduling approach by Cricket Australia toward "non-Ashes" opponents.