Bangladesh to Play Two-Test Series in Australia

Bangladesh will tour Australia for a two-match Test series in August, with matches scheduled in Darwin and Mackay.

The opening Test will be played at Marrara Stadium from August 13 to 17. The second Test will take place at Great Barrier Reef Arena from August 22 to 26.

This will be the first Test series between Bangladesh national cricket team and Australia national cricket team since 2017, and only the second such series hosted by Australia. The two teams last played a Test series in Australia in 2003. A planned series in Bangladesh in 2020 was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The series is part of the current cycle of the World Test Championship. It also marks a busy period for Australia, who are set to play at least 20 Test matches between August 2024 and July 2025.

Darwin last hosted a Test in 2004, when Australia played Sri Lanka. Earlier, it staged a Test against Bangladesh in 2003. Mackay, meanwhile, will host its first-ever Test match.

Both venues were used in Australia’s white-ball Top End series against South Africa last year.

“It is no secret that the international calendar is crowded,” said Todd Greenberg, chief executive of Cricket Australia. “We are fortunate to have world-class facilities available in August, allowing another window for Test cricket outside the traditional summer.”

The Mackay Test will serve as Queensland’s only Test next season. The Gabba will miss out during the main summer due to scheduling issues linked to preparations for the 2032 Olympics, though it is expected to return before being demolished after the Games.

After the Bangladesh series, Australia will tour South Africa for three Tests, followed by a busy home season that includes white-ball matches against England and a Test series against New Zealand. They will then tour India early next year before hosting England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the 150th anniversary Test in March.

Australia are also scheduled to visit Bangladesh in June for one-day internationals and T20 matches.