Australia is set to host Bangladesh for a Test series for the first time since 2003, with matches scheduled from August 13 to 22. The opening Test will take place at Marrara Stadium in Darwin, marking the return of Test cricket to Darwin after 17 years since Australia hosted Sri Lanka in 2004.
Darwin, which last hosted Bangladesh in 2003 and Sri Lanka in 2004, will see international Test cricket after a long gap since 2008 when South Africa played two T20Is there last year on a drop-in pitch. The series will conclude with the second Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, making it the 12th venue in Australia to host a Test match.
Bangladesh, who last defeated Australia in a Test match in Dhaka in 2017, will face off against the Australian team in this series. This Test series will form part of the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, where Australia currently leads with seven wins in eight matches.
Cricket Australia’s chief executive, Todd Greenberg, expressed excitement about bringing Test cricket to northern Australia and praised the quality of facilities available in August for hosting the series. Following the Bangladesh series, Australia will head to South Africa for a three-match Test series, followed by hosting New Zealand for a four-match test series at the end of the year.
