Bangladesh in Australia 2026, AUS vs BAN 1st Test Match Preview

Large image: From 2003 to 2026

In so some ways, this collection has been a very long time coming. Bangladesh haven’t visited Australia for a Check collection in 23 years (and 18 for any bilateral change), whereas Darwin has not hosted a Check for 22. Even on a extra micro stage, it has been seven months since Australia’s males performed a Check and greater than a 12 months for the reason that huge 4 of their bowling assault featured collectively.

The truth that Bangladesh have waited so lengthy for a collection on this nation doesn’t mirror significantly nicely on Cricket Australia, though newer administrations have began to take a broader view on their function in world cricket. Fairly when Bangladesh can anticipate to return, nonetheless, stays unsure.

There can be numerous events with fingers crossed for a contest that goes deep into the weekend – maybe everybody apart from the Australia gamers, who will need to be ruthless because the crew begins their epic run of 20, or 21, Assessments within the subsequent 12 months and keep away from dropping any World Check Championship factors. Bangladesh’s second-innings collapse for 54 in opposition to a CA XI within the warm-up match didn’t bode nicely however, when the coin goes up on Thursday morning, either side start on the identical rating.

Australia are in an interesting place as a Check aspect heading into what can be an era-defining stretch. On the one hand, they’re profitable and settled. However on the opposite, in addition they have plenty of questions round them. An usually referenced one is the age profile of the crew – solely Cameron Inexperienced can be underneath 30 – significantly in relation to the fast-bowling group, however all of them proceed to warrant choice and it might be a tricky promote to maneuver them apart with the main collection forward, though rotation is definitely inevitable.

The batting order begins the collection with some uncertainty. Jake Weatherald faces an enormous two weeks in attempting to safe his place on the high of the order to cease the revolving door, Inexperienced must ship on his expertise (a secure spot within the order would assist), and Marnus Labuschagne has but to completely persuade he is again to his greatest.

That high order should be challenged by the visiting assault, however would have been extra completely examined if fiery fast Nahid Rana had been obtainable. The aspect pressure suffered in Zimbabwe was an agonising blow on so many ranges. Bangladesh, who’re fourth within the WTC after two wins in opposition to Pakistan earlier within the 12 months, and received 4 in a row together with a brace in opposition to Eire earlier than a latest hammering to Zimbabwe, will want the expertise of captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim to paved the way with the bat. A victory can be a large upset.

Type information

Australia WLWWW(final 5 accomplished matches, most up-to-date first)
Bangladesh LWWWW

Within the highlight: Cameron Inexperienced and Najmul Hossain Shanto

Cameron Green is the youngest member of Australia’s Check aspect, however he is not younger in worldwide cricket anymore. He is 37 matches into his profession and holds middling averages. It feels as if he’s getting into a pivotal season, and maybe even a pivotal couple of months if he is to play a key function all through this run of Check cricket. The administration is determined to maintain him within the aspect however the religion will have to be repaid, most significantly with the bat the place he ought to be a central determine sooner or later. Inexperienced has to be sure that’s the case.

An enormous quantity rests on the shoulders of Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in a batting order that feels susceptible. He arrives with a good 2026 underneath his belt so far, averaging 46.83 in three matches, and although his general Check common is a much less spectacular 33.49, he has proven a capability to transform: of his 15 scores over fifty, 9 have turn out to be centuries. He confirmed glimpses of type with 37 within the first innings in opposition to the CA XI.

Workforce information: Large 4 collectively once more, Bangladesh wait

Scott Boland will heat the bench as Australia convey again their well-known 4 for the primary time in additional than a 12 months as Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon all return. The aspect is as anticipated however the batting must persuade that it might probably keep collectively.

Australia 1 Travis Head, 2 Jake Weatherald, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Cameron Inexperienced, 6 Alex Carey (wk), 7 Beau Webster, 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood

Shanto hinted at there being some “niggles” within the Bangladesh camp however confirmed Litton Das was match to take his place. Two frontline spinners additionally seem the possible route whereas Hasan Mahmud’s type for Kent and 4 wickets within the warm-up match may earn him a spot.

Bangladesh (possible) 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Shadman Islam, 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Litton Das (wk), 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8 Taijul Islam, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Khaled Ahmed/Ebadot Hossain, 11 Hasan Mahmud

Pitch and circumstances

Placing this drop-in Check pitch collectively has been near a 12-month project for Darwin’s head curator Jake Pavlich. He hopes for a pitch that can be “good and in step with runs in it, and bowlers can work onerous and get one thing out of it”. Cummins stated it “seems to be and feels onerous”.

With simply two pitches on the sq., gamers are making ready for runs sq. of the wicket to be harder to come back by. “We’ve got spoken about operating between the wickets the place it’s a little bit completely different when you’ve got a ten-wicket block and the ball races off sq. of the wicket, so simply to be conscious of issues like that,” Beau Webster stated.

There could be a little moisture on provide within the mornings earlier than the solar will get to work however, as anticipated presently of the 12 months in northern Australia, the climate is ready honest with temperatures across the 30-degree mark.

Stats and trivia

Hazlewood wants 5 wickets to affix the 300 membership
Mitchell Starc wants seven wickets to maneuver into the highest ten of all time
Mushfiqur begins the collection 194 runs in need of being the primary Bangladesh batter to 7000 in Assessments

Quotes

“It has been an incredible few months. Now it is all about taking part in. We do not look too far forward. We as a gaggle are fairly good at simply being fairly current, not pondering too far forward and shifting on from one recreation to the subsequent. For us in the meanwhile, it is all Bangladesh this collection.”
Pat Cummins on protecting the deal with the right here and now regardless of the 20 Assessments forward

“They’re clearly the No. 1 crew on the planet, so we can be going through a variety of challenges. Taking part in in opposition to them is a big alternative for our gamers so no person actually wants added motivation. Everyone seems to be assured understanding {that a} five-wicket haul or a century might be essential. If it contributes to the crew’s trigger, it might probably solely imply good issues for the crew.”
Najmul Hossain Shanto on the duty forward for his crew

Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at Cricinfo

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