Bangladesh to tour August later in August (PC- x.com)
In a developing news, Cricket Australia (CA) has announced a two-game AUS vs BAN Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled for later this year. The Asian giants, who last toured Down Under close to two and a half decades ago, will play two Tests in the month of August.
The first of the two AUS vs BAN Test matches will be played at Darwin, the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia, starting on August 13. It will be followed by the Mackay Test from August 22-26.
Notably, Darwin last hosted a Test back in 2004, during a match between Australia and Sri Lanka. And then the TIO Stadium has hosted just one more Test match, against Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Mackay's Great Barrier Reef Arena will debut as a Test venue in August this year.
CA boss on historic AUS vs BAN Tests
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg showed his delight as he commented on the historic series between the two nations. He opined that the upcoming series will be fantastic.
"We're delighted to bring Test cricket to northern Australia and look forward to a fantastic series against Bangladesh," Greenberg said.
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While commenting on why CA has chosen the two unorthodox venues to host the AUS vs BAN Test, Greenberg said they have world-class facilities in the two Australian cities and were forced to pick August due to the busy international calendar.
"It is no secret the international calendar is now crowded and we're fortunate to have world class facilities available in August ensuring we have another window for Test cricket outside summer," the CA boss stated.
Interestingly, Darwin and Cairns were the two venues when Bangladesh toured Australia for a Test series last time around, nearly 23 years ago.
AUS vs BAN: A warmup for Aussies before SA Tests
It is worth noting that Australia announced the Bangladesh series just two days after the schedule for their tour of South Africa was released. The Aussies will be touring the Rainbow Nation for the very first time since the sandpaper gate. This time, the two countries will be playing a three-game series, not a four-match Test series.
Australia have had an upper hand over the Proteas in the Test matches played in South Africa, barring the previous series, which they lost 3-1. Thus, the two games against Bangladesh can be seen as a warm-up before the gruelling tour in September to October 2026. However, both these series are a part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship Cycle.
Bangladesh's comeback to international cricket
Bangladesh pulled out of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 due to the geopolitical differences between them and India. Despite a lot of back-and-forth with the ICC, the Bangladesh Cricket Board decided to miss out on the mega event. Later, the Asian side was replaced by Scotland in Group C.
The Asian team will return to international cricket with a three-game ODI series against Pakistan at home next month. Their next assignment will be the historic tour of Australia.
Moreover, Australia and Bangladesh have played six Test matches against each other, with the Aussies leading by 5-1.
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