Australia will take on Bangladesh in the first Test of their two-match series at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin from Thursday, August 13. The match will mark Bangladesh’s first Test in Australia since 2003 and the first Test at the venue in 20 years.
Notably, the series is also part of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship, with Australia currently at the top of the standings. Australia will enter the contest as the clear favourites after winning four of their five Ashes Tests against England.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, recorded wins over Pakistan in their recent Test series but suffered a defeat against Zimbabwe and also lost their warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI. The visitors will need to adjust to Australian conditions.
Australia also have the better record between the two sides. The teams have played six Tests, with Australia winning five and Bangladesh winning one. Bangladesh's only victory came in Mirpur in 2017.
AUS vs BAN Match Preview & Recent Form
Pat Cummins has returned as captain after missing much of the previous Ashes series. Cummins will lead the bowling attack, comprising Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon. Cameron Green and Beau Webster will give the team greater balance.
Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head are key batters for the side, while Jake Weatherald gets another opportunity at the top. Alex Carey is expected to keep wickets and can add useful runs in the lower middle order.
The Darwin pitch is expected to offer bounce and carry early, which should suit their fast bowlers. The hosts will look to take control with the new ball to put Bangladesh under pressure.
Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead Bangladesh, while Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque bring experience. Mehidy Hasan Miraz will play an important role with both bat and ball.
The visitors will depend on their senior batters to face Australia's pace attack. Taskin Ahmed will lead the fast-bowling group, while Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz are expected to handle the spin duties.
AUS vs BAN Live Streaming, Live Telecast: Where To Watch 1st Test?
The first Test will be played in Darwin from August 13 to 17. Notably, the match will be telecast live in India on the Star Sports Network. Fans who prefer online viewing can watch the match on the JioHotstar app and website. Play is scheduled to begin at 6:00 AM IST each day.
AUS vs BAN Pitch Report: How Will Marrara Cricket Ground Play?
The Marrara Cricket Ground will host a Test for the first time in 22 years. The venue last staged a Test between Australia and Bangladesh in 2003. The new surface is a drop-in pitch and is expected to have a hard base with some grass cover.
Notably, the pitch is expected to provide true bounce and good carry, so Australia's quicks and Bangladesh's seamers will have a chance to create pressure with the new ball. Batters should find it easier to score once they settle.
Darwin's dry weather may cause cracks to open from around the third day, which could give spinners more assistance. Nathan Lyon, Taijul Islam, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz could become more important later in the match.
The average first-innings score for Tests in Darwin is around 300-320, making the opening innings important. The team that bats well early could build a strong position before the pitch changes.
Marrara Cricket Ground Test Stats
Total Matches Played: 2
Won Batting First: 1
Expected First Innings Score: 310-320
Highest Team Total: 407/9 declared (Australia vs Bangladesh, 2003)
Lowest Team Total: 97 (Bangladesh vs Australia, 2003)
AUS vs BAN Weather Forecast & Rain Prediction
Darwin is expected to see mostly sunny to partly cloudy conditions during the Test. Daytime temperatures should remain around 31-33°C, while the chance of rain is low.
Morning humidity could reach around 65%, which may help the fast bowlers find some swing early in the day. Winds are expected to remain moderate at around 15 km/h.
With rain unlikely to become a major factor, both teams can plan for a full Test match. The bigger weather challenge will be the heat, especially for bowlers who may have to work through long spells in the Darwin conditions.
AUS vs BAN Team News & Injury Updates
Australia have a full-strength group available for the first Test. Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will share the new-ball duties. Nathan Lyon remains the first-choice spinner, while Cameron Green and Beau Webster also give the team flexibility with the ball.
Bangladesh have had one major setback before the series. Fast bowler Nahid Rana missed the tour because of injury, with uncapped Musfik Hasan named as his replacement in the 16-man squad.
AUS vs BAN Predicted Playing 11 Today
Australia XI: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.
Bangladesh Predicted XI: Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Litton Das (wk), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud
AUS vs BAN Key Player Battles to Watch
Steve Smith vs Taijul Islam:
Steve Smith will be a key wicket for Bangladesh in the first Test. Taijul Islam will look to keep him under pressure with tight lines and expose his struggles against left-arm spin.
Litton Das vs Nathan Lyon:
Litton Das returns to the Bangladesh side after recovering from injury. Nathan Lyon will look to dismiss the right-handed batter with the old ball.
Travis Head vs Taskin Ahmed
Travis Head can play with an attacking approach to put pressure early on the opposition. Taskin Ahmed will look for early movement and bowl a disciplined line outside off stump.
Key Players to Watch
Australia: Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc
Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed
Australia have the stronger squad and home advantage, while Bangladesh will look to make the most of their first Test in Australia in more than two decades. The team that handles the conditions better across five days will have the best chance of taking a 1-0 lead.
Also read: Australia announce playing XI for 1st Test against Bangladesh, Josh Hazlewood returns
