DARWIN, Australia — Australia vs Bangladesh 1st Test: Australia and Bangladesh are set to begin their two-match Test series at Marrara Stadium in Darwin on Thursday, August 13, with the opening match marking Bangladesh’s return to Test cricket in Australia after 23 years. The first Test will start at 10:00 AM local time, with both teams arriving with experienced squads and several important selection and fitness questions.
- Match: Australia vs Bangladesh, 1st Test
- Date: August 13-17, 2026
- Venue: Marrara Stadium, Darwin, Australia
- Start time: 10:00 AM local, 6:00 AM IST, 12:30 AM GMT
- Series: Bangladesh tour of Australia 2026
- Series format: Two-Test series
Australia vs Bangladesh 1st Test: Match Timing and Broadcast
The first Test begins at 10:00 AM local time in Darwin. In India, the match is scheduled to begin at 6:00 AM IST, while the corresponding GMT start time is 12:30 AM.
In Australia, the Test will be available through Channel Seven, 7plus, Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Live radio coverage is also being provided by ABC Radio and SEN Radio. Cricket Australia will provide live scores and match coverage through its digital platforms.
Each day’s scheduled sessions are 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 12:40 PM to 2:40 PM and 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM local time, with additional time available for completing the day’s overs when required.
Marrara Stadium Darwin: Venue Details
The opening Test will be played at Marrara Stadium in Darwin, Northern Territory. The venue has a listed capacity of 15,000, including 5,000 seated places, with the McMillans Road End and Airport End serving as the two ends of the ground.
The venue hosts Northern Territory cricket and is also used for Australian Rules Football. The return of Test cricket to Darwin gives the match a special significance for local cricket supporters and Jake Weatherald, who was born and raised in the city.
Australia Playing XI for 1st Test
Australia have selected an experienced combination for the opening Test, with Jake Weatherald set to make his Test debut in his home city. Josh Hazlewood also returns to the Test side as Australia bring together a highly experienced pace attack. The confirmed Australian XI is:
- Jake Weatherald
- Travis Head
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Cameron Green
- Alex Carey (wicketkeeper)
- Beau Webster
- Mitchell Starc
- Pat Cummins (captain)
- Nathan Lyon
- Josh Hazlewood
The selection means Weatherald will open alongside Travis Head, while Carey takes the wicketkeeping role. Cummins leads an attack featuring Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon. Cricket Australia’s preview listed this combination as the expected XI for the Darwin Test.
Australia Full Test Squad
Australia’s squad for the series includes:
- Pat Cummins (captain)
- Scott Boland
- Alex Carey
- Cameron Green
- Josh Hazlewood
- Travis Head
- Josh Inglis
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Nathan Lyon
- Steve Smith
- Mitchell Starc
- Jake Weatherald
- Beau Webster
Australia have opted for a full-strength group after more than six months away from Test cricket. Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon return to the side, while Scott Boland, Josh Inglis and other squad members provide depth outside the starting combination.
Bangladesh Playing XI for 1st Test
Bangladesh’s expected combination features Soumya Sarkar and Shadman Islam at the top, followed by Mominul Haque and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. Litton Das is expected to keep wickets, with Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam providing further experience.
- Soumya Sarkar
- Shadman Islam
- Mominul Haque
- Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain)
- Litton Das (wicketkeeper)
- Mushfiqur Rahim
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz
- Taijul Islam
- Taskin Ahmed
- Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury
- Syed Khaled Ahmed
The combination was listed as Bangladesh’s possible XI in Cricket Australia’s match preview.
Bangladesh Full Squad for the First Test
Bangladesh’s squad includes captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and a mixture of experienced batters, all-rounders and pace and spin options:
- Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain)
- Soumya Sarkar
- Shadman Islam
- Tanzid Hasan Tamim
- Mominul Haque
- Mushfiqur Rahim
- Amite Hasan
- Jaker Ali
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz
- Taijul Islam
- Taskin Ahmed
- Hasan Mahmud
- Syed Khaled Ahmed
- Ebadot Hossain
- Musfik Hasan
- Litton Das
Shoriful Islam Passes Fitness Test but Misses First Test
Bangladesh received encouraging news regarding fast bowler Shoriful Islam ahead of the series. Bangladesh Cricket Board officials confirmed that he had passed his fitness test after recovering from a hamstring injury suffered during the July tour of Zimbabwe.
However, Shoriful will not feature in the opening Test in Darwin. He is expected to travel to Australia and could become available for the second Test in Mackay.
Shahriar Nafees, Bangladesh’s cricket-operation in-charge, confirmed that Shoriful had recovered sufficiently to pass the fitness assessment.
Litton Das Declared Fit for Series Opener
Wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das has also been closely monitored after recovering from an injury. During Bangladesh’s training session, he took part in slip-catching and wicketkeeping drills and showed positive movement.
He did not participate in the batting session during the Tuesday training session but joined football and fielding activities. His progress has been an important part of Bangladesh’s preparations because of his role in the middle order and behind the stumps.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto subsequently confirmed Litton’s fitness for the opening Test after he completed batting and wicketkeeping work.
Jake Weatherald Set for Historic Darwin Test Debut
For Australia, the match carries a personal milestone for Jake Weatherald. Born and raised in Darwin, he is set to become the first Darwin-born player to play a Test match in the city.
Weatherald has been heavily involved in the build-up to the Test, embracing his local connections and helping teammates experience Darwin. His relationship with local ground-staff member Justin Galeotti has added another personal element to the occasion.
Weatherald and Galeotti previously lived together in Hobart during Weatherald’s time with Tasmania and also played together for Darwin Cricket Club. Galeotti is now part of the ground staff at Marrara.
Australia Enter Major 12-Month Test Campaign
The Bangladesh series is the beginning of an exceptionally demanding period for Australia’s Test team. The squad is scheduled to play 20 Tests, potentially 21, between August 13, 2026 and August 2, 2027.
During that period, Australia are expected to travel approximately 87,318 kilometres by road and air while playing at 16 venues across four countries. Major challenges await against South Africa, India and England.
The experience of Cummins, Smith, Starc, Lyon and Hazlewood will be central to Australia’s plans. Cameron Green is the only player in the squad under 30, highlighting how heavily the selectors have relied on an established core for this phase.
Bangladesh Return to Australian Test Cricket
The Darwin Test marks Bangladesh’s first Test in Australia in 23 years. The return gives the visitors an opportunity to test themselves against Australia’s experienced bowling attack in unfamiliar conditions.
Bangladesh’s fielding coach Ashiqur Rahman has emphasized concentration as a key requirement in the longer format. He said fielders must remain alert during long periods without action because a single opportunity can determine an important moment in a Test match.
Marrara Test Adds Significance to Both Teams
The match represents different challenges for the two sides. Australia are beginning a long campaign that could define the current era of their Test team, while Bangladesh are seeking to make an impact on their return to Australian Test cricket.
With Weatherald making his debut in his hometown, Hazlewood returning to the Test side and Bangladesh monitoring key players including Litton Das and Shoriful Islam, the Darwin opener carries several individual storylines alongside the wider series contest.
The first ball is scheduled for 10:00 AM local time on Thursday, August 13. The second Test will follow at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay from August 22 to 26.
