Cricket
Australia vs Bangladesh 1st Test: Preview, date, start time and how to watch for free on DAZN
Watch the first Test live and for free on DAZN
Bangladesh return to Australia for their first Test series Down Under in 23 years this week as the two nations begin a two-match series in Darwin.
Australia will be strong favourites when play begins at Marrara Stadium on August 13, but there is considerably more intrigue surrounding the series than the teams' respective records might suggest.
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon are all back from injury to strengthen Australia's bowling options, while valuable points in the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship are also on offer.
There is history surrounding the venues, too. Darwin will host Test cricket for the first time since 2004 before the series moves to Mackay, where the Great Barrier Reef Arena will stage its first men's Test match.
Here's everything you need to know about Australia vs Bangladesh, including the first Test start time, schedule and how to watch live for free on DAZN.
Australia vs Bangladesh first Test preview
Bangladesh have waited a long time for another opportunity to play Test cricket in Australia.
Their only previous Test series in the country came back in 2003, when Australia won both matches of a two-Test series in Darwin and Cairns.
The two nations have met just six times in Test cricket overall, with Australia winning five of those encounters.
However, the most recent series between them ended very differently.
Bangladesh stunned Australia with a 20-run victory in Dhaka in 2017 before the visitors responded with a seven-wicket win in Chattogram to ensure the series finished 1-1.
That means Australia have not won a Test series against Bangladesh since 2006, albeit largely because opportunities for the two countries to meet in the longest format have been so rare.
Their latest meeting finally arrives nine years after that drawn series, with Bangladesh facing a significant challenge against an Australian side approaching full strength.
Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon return for Australia
Australia have received a major boost ahead of the series, with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon all returning to the Test squad following injury lay-offs.
Cummins is in line to make his first Test appearance since December, while Hazlewood and Lyon have also recovered in time for the start of Australia's home international season.
Alongside Mitchell Starc, their returns give Australia the opportunity to field their established frontline Test attack together again.
Scott Boland is also part of the 13-man squad, leaving Australia's selectors with a decision to make over the final make-up of their bowling attack in Darwin.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
Test cricket returns to Darwin
The series will also take Test cricket to two relatively unfamiliar venues.
Marrara Stadium in Darwin hosts the opener from August 13-17, more than two decades after the city last staged a Test match.
Australia's victory over Sri Lanka in July 2004 was the last Test played in Darwin, while Bangladesh have never previously played an international fixture at the venue.
The series then heads to Mackay for the second Test from August 22-26.
That match will make history, with the Great Barrier Reef Arena becoming Australia's 12th men's Test venue when it hosts a Test match for the first time.
When is Australia vs Bangladesh first Test?
The first Test between Australia and Bangladesh takes place from Thursday, August 13 to Monday, August 17, 2026.
The match will be played at Marrara Stadium in Darwin, Australia.
What time does Australia vs Bangladesh start in the UK?
Play is scheduled to begin at 1:30am BST.
The scheduled timings for each day are:
- Play starts: 1:30am BST
- Lunch: 3:30am BST
- Tea : 6:10am-6:30am BST
- Close: 8:30am BST
When is the second Australia vs Bangladesh Test?
The second and final Test of the series takes place from August 22-26, 2026 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.
It will be the first men's Test match ever staged at the venue.
How to watch Australia vs Bangladesh first Test?
UK fans can watch Australia vs Bangladesh live and for free on DAZN.
The first Test begins on August 13, with coverage available throughout all five scheduled days.
