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AUS vs BAN Match Preview: The Australia National Cricket Team will take on the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in the second and final Test of the two-match Test series at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Queensland, starting on Saturday, August 22, 2026. The match is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
The Australia National Cricket Team are under huge pressure after Bangladesh National Cricket Team stunned them by nine wickets in Darwin to take a 1-0 series lead in the ongoing two-match Test series. It was Bangladesh’s first Test win on Australian soil.
The Australia National Cricket Team now need a win in Mackay to avoid an embarrassing whitewash. Earlier, Jason Gillespie blames Australian batters for Bangladesh defeat.
AUS vs BAN Match Preview & Recent Form
Australia entered the ongoing Test series as the clear favourites but suffered a major shock in Darwin. They were bowled out for 198 in the first innings and could manage only 284 in the second innings. Cameron Green scored a fighting century, while Steve Smith also made an important contribution, but Australia's overall batting failed badly.
On the other hand, Bangladesh produced an outstanding all-round performance. They scored 426 in their first innings and then chased only 57 runs in the second innings to record a historic nine-wicket win over Australia. Hasan Mahmud was the hero of the first Test.
The second Test is now a huge opportunity for Bangladesh to create the biggest setback of this century, while Australia will be desperate to make a strong comeback and level the home series. However, Australia would not also want to lose another 12 WTC points.
AUS vs BAN Live Streaming, Live Telecast: Where To Watch 2nd Test?
Indian fans can watch the Australia vs Bangladesh Test series live on JioHotstar. In Australia, the match will be available on Channel Seven, 7plus, Foxtel and Kayo Sports. UK viewers can watch the WTC series on DAZN, while fans in New Zealand can follow it on Sky NZ. Amid this, Najmul Hossain Shanto provides injury update on Tanzid Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim.
AUS vs BAN Pitch Report: How Will Great Barrier Reef Arena Play?
The Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay is hosting its first men's Test match, so this is a special game for both teams. The pitch is expected to offer good bounce and some help for fast bowlers, especially early in the match.
The Australian fast bowlers will have an opportunity to attack Bangladesh's top order with the new ball. As the match progresses, batting could become easier, while spin will play a big role later in the Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena.
Great Barrier Reef Arena (Mackay) Test stats:
Matches Played: Making its official Test Debut on 22 August 2026
Total First-Class Matches: 5
Won Batting First (First-Class): 3 (60%)
Won Bowling First (First-Class): 2 (40%)
Average 1st Innings Score (First-Class): 257 runs
Highest Team Total (First-Class): 342 by Queensland
Highest Team Total (All Formats): 431/2 by Australia against South Africa in the ODI match in 2025)
Toss Preference: Captains have an impressive 80% win rate when opting to bat first.
Pitch Behaviour: Track for the fast bowlers. Seamers have taken 122 wickets at 23.67, compared to just 50 wickets for spinners at 31.76.
AUS vs BAN Weather Forecast & Rain Threat at Mackay
The conditions in Mackay will be excellent for the second Test between Australia and Bangladesh. There is no major rain threat across the five days of the Test match while humidity will be around 74% with gentle wind at this part of the city.
AUS vs BAN Team News & Injury Updates
Australia has made one major change to their squad. Jake Weatherald has been dropped after scoring only 23 and 0 in Darwin. Matthew Renshaw has been recalled and is expected to open with Travis Head. It will be Renshaw's first Test match in more than three years if he is selected.
Nathan Lyon is likely to retain his place despite the uncertainty while Scott Boland remains another option for the bowling attack.
On the other hand, Bangladesh has got the massive advantage of Shoriful Islam being fit and available for the second Test after recovering from a hamstring issue. However, Bangladesh could prefer to retain the winning combination for the second and final Test against Australia.
AUS vs BAN Predicted Playing XIs
Australia: Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury
AUS vs BAN Key Player Battles to Watch
Travis Head vs Hasan Mahmud:
Travis Head faces a tough challenge against Hasan Mahmud after losing his wicket to the bowler in both innings in the same fashion in Darwin. Hasan will look to keep the ball around off stump and make Head play, while Head will need to stay solid at the crease and avoid risky shots early on to help Australia put big total on the board.
Steve Smith vs Taijul Islam
Taijul Islam could test Steve Smith again by bowling into the rough and keeping his lengths full. His arm-ball can also create an LBW chance. Smith will need quick footwork and should get close to the ball to counter the turn and variation.
Marnus Labuschagne vs Taskin Ahmed
Marnus Labuschagne will need to play with confidence against Taskin Ahmed. The Bangladesh fast bowler is expected to use the back-of-a-length area outside off before bringing the ball back in sharply to test Labuschagne’s defence in the second Test.
Key Players to Watch
Australia: Steve Smith, Travis Head, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc
Bangladesh: Hasan Mahmud, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan
