The moment cricket fans in South Asia and Australia have been waiting for is almost here. Bangladesh are touring Australia for a two-match Test series in August 2026, their first visit to the country in 23 years.
This is not just a routine bilateral assignment. It carries WTC points, historic significance, and the rare novelty of Test cricket being played in northern Australia.
Whether you are searching for match timings in IST, squad details, where to catch the action on TV in India, or which venues are hosting the games, this guide has every answer you need.
Full Schedule: Dates, Venues, and Match Timings
Warm-Up Match Bangladesh XI vs Cricket Australia XI Venue: Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin Dates: August 9 to 11, 2026
1st Test: Australia vs Bangladesh Venue: Marrara Stadium, Darwin Dates: August 13 to 17, 2026 Local Start Time: 10:00 AM (ACST) Start Time in India (IST): 6:00 AM Start Time in GMT: 12:30 AM
2nd Test: Australia vs Bangladesh Venue: Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, Queensland Dates: August 22 to 26, 2026 Local Start Time: 10:00 AM (AEST) Start Time in India (IST): 5:30 AM Start Time in GMT: 12:00 AM midnight
Both Tests are five-day matches. The series falls under the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle, so every result and every point matters beyond just the trophy.
Venue Details
Marrara Stadium, Darwin (1st Test)
Darwin is one of the more unusual venues on the Australian cricket map. Marrara Stadium, also referred to as the Marrara Cricket Ground, has hosted Test cricket before, including the 2003 match between Australia and Bangladesh itself. However, Test cricket has been largely absent from the city for years after that. The tropical climate, the distinct pace of the pitch, and the unusual atmosphere of a city that does not usually host international cricket makes this a fascinating setting. Darwin has been used for warm-up and domestic fixtures in recent years, which gave Cricket Australia the confidence to bring it back into the Test fold.
Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay (2nd Test)
Mackay is hosting its very first Test match. The city sits in Queensland’s north, and while it has seen limited international cricket previously in the form of a small number of ODIs and T20Is, a Test match is entirely new territory for the venue and the region. Queensland authorities have highlighted the fixture as part of their long-term Destination 2045 tourism strategy, hoping it draws international visitors and broadcast audiences to a part of the country that rarely features on the global cricket radar. For fans who want an off-the-beaten-track Test cricket experience in Australia, Mackay in August 2026 is a genuinely unique opportunity.
AUS vs BAN Full Squads
Australia Squad (13 Players)
Captain: Pat Cummins
Batters: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper)
Allrounders: Cameron Green, Beau Webster
Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon
This is a full-strength side. The return of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon from injury layoffs is a big boost. All three were sidelined at various points during the preceding months, but they are fit and available for this series. The notable absence from Australia’s recent Test squads is Usman Khawaja, who has retired, leaving Jake Weatherald to continue as opener alongside Travis Head.
Cameron Green and Beau Webster provide batting depth and seam-bowling options. Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon add two additional wicket-taking options beyond the three frontline seamers. This is arguably one of the strongest Australia Test lineups available.
Bangladesh Squad (15 Players)
Captain: Najmul Hossain Shanto Vice-Captain: Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Batters: Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Amite Hasan
Allrounders: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali Anik
Bowlers: Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Musfik Hasan
Notable Absence: Nahid Rana has been ruled out of the series through injury, which is a significant blow for Bangladesh. The express pacer was expected to be one of their main threats against Australia’s batters given his ability to extract genuine pace and bounce.
His absence narrows Bangladesh’s bowling options at a time when they needed every weapon available.
The batting group features a solid mix of experience, with Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque being the key senior figures in the middle order.
Taijul Islam is a reliable spinner who can trouble any team on a surface offering turn. Taskin Ahmed will lead the pace attack in Rana’s absence.
AUS vs BAN Where to Watch in India?
TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network (available in SD and HD variants across multiple Star Sports channels)
Live Streaming: JioStar app
For Indian fans, this is relatively straightforward. Star Sports holds the broadcast rights for this series, which means you can catch live coverage on your television across the Star Sports family of channels. For those who prefer watching on phones, tablets, or smart TVs on the go, the JioStar app carries the live stream and will be the go-to platform for streaming the matches in India.
The matches start at 6:00 AM IST for the first Test in Darwin and approximately 5:30 AM IST for the second Test in Mackay. Early morning sessions will be the key viewing window for Indian fans.
Where to Watch AUS vs BAN in Other Countries?
Australia: Kayo Sports (live streaming), Foxtel and Fox Cricket (cable TV), Seven Network and 7plus (free-to-air)
Bangladesh: T Sport and Nagorik TV (TV), Tapmad app (live streaming)
United Kingdom: TNT Sports
Pakistan: PTV Sports (TV), Tapmad app (live streaming)
United States: Willow TV (cable and app)
Start Times by Region (1st Test, Darwin)
| Region | Local Time Zone | Start Time |
| Darwin, Australia | ACST | 10:00 AM |
| India | IST | 6:00 AM |
| Bangladesh | BST | 6:30 AM |
| United Kingdom | GMT | 12:30 AM |
| United States (East) | EST | 8:30 PM (previous night) |
Key Storylines to Follow
Bangladesh’s 23-Year Wait The last time Bangladesh played Test cricket in Australia was 2003, when they were bundled out comprehensively and lost both matches. One of those Tests was held at the very same Marrara Ground in Darwin where this series begins, a ground Australia won on by an innings and 132 runs on that occasion. Bangladesh cricket has changed enormously over two decades.
They have won bilateral Test series against established nations and have players who have performed at the highest level around the world. The question is whether that progress translates to the specific challenge of Australian conditions.
WTC Points on the Line Australia currently hold the top position in the ICC World Test Championship standings. A home series win consolidates that lead heading into what promises to be a challenging away tour of South Africa later in the cycle. Bangladesh also need WTC points and have had a decent record in bilateral Test series recently, having won or drawn four of their last five multi-match series. Both teams have something meaningful to play for beyond just this series.
Winter Tests in Australia This series is the first to be played during the Australian winter since 2004. Summer Tests at venues like the MCG, SCG, and the Gabba are what most people associate with Australian home cricket. Bringing the game north in August is logistically and climatically different.
The pitches, conditions, and crowd dynamics in Darwin and Mackay will not mirror what you get at a Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, and that novelty adds an interesting variable to the usual home-advantage equation.
Boland and Lyon at Home Scott Boland’s record at home in Australia is extraordinary for a bowler of his experience level, and Nathan Lyon remains one of the most skilled off-spinners in the world. Pitches in northern Australia, especially at Marrara, have historically offered pace and bounce.
Whether spin comes into play in a meaningful way at either venue will be one of the tactical conversations throughout the series.
Final Words
This is a series worth clearing your mornings for if you are watching from India. The IST start times of 5:30 to 6:00 AM mean you can follow the action before your day begins, and with Star Sports and JioStar both carrying coverage, access is not a problem. The squads are set, the venues are confirmed, and the first ball is scheduled for August 13 in Darwin.
For Bangladesh, this is an opportunity to show how far they have come since that forgettable 2003 tour. For Australia, it is the opening chapter of what promises to be one of the busiest and most demanding Test seasons they have faced in recent memory.
Lucky Raina is a complete cricket writer chasing corporate dreams by day and cricket stories by night. Once a promising Under 16 cricketer, life took him down a different pitch but the love for the game never left.
