New Delhi, 25 February (H.S.): Cricket Australia announced on Wednesday the schedule for its home Test series against Bangladesh in August 2026. This two-match Test series marks Bangladesh's first Test tour of Australia since 2003.

Departing from traditional Test venues, Cricket Australia selected Marrara Stadium in Darwin for the first Test and Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay for the second.Darwin will host a Test for the first time since 2004, having previously featured Bangladesh in 2003. Meanwhile, Mackay's Great Barrier Reef Arena will stage its inaugural men's Test match.

To date, this venue has hosted only three men's ODIs—one in 1992 between India and Sri Lanka abandoned due to rain, and two last year between Australia and South Africa—along with three women's ODIs, two women's T20Is, and several 'A' series matches.

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg stated, “We are excited to bring Test cricket to northern Australia and look forward to a great series against Bangladesh. With a crowded international calendar, having world-class facilities available in August gives us a valuable window for Test cricket outside the summer.”

Australia and Bangladesh have contested three Test series to date, with Australia winning five of six matches. Bangladesh's lone victory came in Mirpur in 2017.

Schedule

First Test: August 13–17, 2026, Marrara Stadium, Darwin

Second Test: August 22–26, 2026, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar