Test cricket returns to Australia’s tropical northern city of Darwin for the first time in 22 years, with Bangladesh visiting for a red-ball series after 23 years. The series opener between Australia and Bangladesh marks a special occasion for the venue, as the last Test played here was also between these two countries in 2003, when Australia beat them convincingly. More than two decades later, both teams are back facing off Down Under in the first of the two Tests starting on Thursday (Aug 13). Here is the match preview and Australia’s playing XI.<h2>Match Preview</h2>Months after Australia defended their ODI World Cup crown by beating India in the 2003 edition final, the Steve Waugh-led team hosted Bangladesh for a Test match for the first time in July that year. Fielding an almost full-strength XI, the hosts crushed the Asian team by an innings and 132 runs. 23 years, three ODI World Cups and a WTC title later, another full-strength Australian team is playing Bangladesh in a two-match Test series. &nbsp;Injury-free Australia will play a home Test for the first time since January this year, which marks the beginning of a marathon streak of at least 20 Tests in the next 12 months. For the first game, the famous quartet of captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon is back together, alongside Test veteran Steve Smith. Two all-rounders, Cameron Green and Beau Webster, have also been picked, while keeper-batter Alex Carey has retained his number six spot.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-afg-t20i-series-delhi-schedule-bangladesh-tour-doubtful-1786537182710">Afghanistan to host India for 3 T20Is in Delhi as Bangladesh tour 'doubtful'; details inside</a> &nbsp;Travis Head and Jake Weatherald will resume the opening duties, with Marnus Labuschagne locked in at three. Green, the youngest of the lot, will take up the fifth place, although it remains unclear if he will bowl in the first Test against Bangladesh.<h3>No Nahid Rana for Bangladesh</h3>Bangladesh’s premier seamer and perhaps the most exciting pace prospect in the world now, lanky seamer Nahid Rana, has unfortunately missed out on selection due to an injury. What's worse? Bangladesh will enter this contest on the back of being bowled out for just 54 in their only warm-up game against Cricket Australia XI recently.&nbsp;&nbsp;Although they still have firepower in both batting and bowling for the two Tests, including seamer Taskin Ahmed and veteran wicketkeepers Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das, Bangladesh’s challenge would be the mighty bounce that has often terrified touring teams Down Under. &nbsp;Australia’s final XI for the first Test against Bangladesh – &nbsp;Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood &nbsp;Bangladesh’s predicted playing XI – &nbsp;Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed/Ebadot Hossain and Hasan Mahmud

Test cricket returns to Darwin after 22 years as Australia hosts Bangladesh in the 1st Test. Check the match preview, pitch conditions, and Australia's confirmed XI.

Test cricket returns to Australia’s tropical northern city of Darwin for the first time in 22 years, with Bangladesh visiting for a red-ball series after 23 years. The series opener between Australia and Bangladesh marks a special occasion for the venue, as the last Test played here was also between these two countries in 2003, when Australia beat them convincingly. More than two decades later, both teams are back facing off Down Under in the first of the two Tests starting on Thursday (Aug 13). Here is the match preview and Australia’s playing XI. Match Preview Months after Australia defended their ODI World Cup crown by beating India in the 2003 edition final, the Steve Waugh-led team hosted Bangladesh for a Test match for the first time in July that year. Fielding an almost full-strength XI, the hosts crushed the Asian team by an innings and 132 runs. 23 years, three ODI World Cups and a WTC title later, another full-strength Australian team is playing Bangladesh in a two-match Test series. Injury-free Australia will play a home Test for the first time since January this year, which marks the beginning of a marathon streak of at least 20 Tests in the next 12 months. For the first game, the famous quartet of captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon is back together, alongside Test veteran Steve Smith. Two all-rounders, Cameron Green and Beau Webster, have also been picked, while keeper-batter Alex Carey has retained his number six spot. Also read| Afghanistan to host India for 3 T20Is in Delhi as Bangladesh tour 'doubtful'; details inside Travis Head and Jake Weatherald will resume the opening duties, with Marnus Labuschagne locked in at three. Green, the youngest of the lot, will take up the fifth place, although it remains unclear if he will bowl in the first Test against Bangladesh. No Nahid Rana for Bangladesh Bangladesh’s premier seamer and perhaps the most exciting pace prospect in the world now, lanky seamer Nahid Rana, has unfortunately missed out on selection due to an injury. What's worse? Bangladesh will enter this contest on the back of being bowled out for just 54 in their only warm-up game against Cricket Australia XI recently. Although they still have firepower in both batting and bowling for the two Tests, including seamer Taskin Ahmed and veteran wicketkeepers Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das, Bangladesh’s challenge would be the mighty bounce that has often terrified touring teams Down Under. Australia’s final XI for the first Test against Bangladesh – Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood Bangladesh’s predicted playing XI – Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed/Ebadot Hossain and Hasan Mahmud

Test cricket returns to Darwin after 22 years as Australia hosts Bangladesh in the 1st Test. Check the match preview, pitch conditions, and Australia's confirmed XI.

AUS vs BAN 2026, 1st Test Preview: Darwin’s 22-year wait ends as Australia name final XI

Australia’s Ashes hero Michael Neser suffered a right calf strain in training but remains hopeful of recovering in time for the away marquee Test tour of South Africa in October. Although Neser was not picked for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home, starting August 13 in Darwin, he was part of the extended pace group slated to feature in at least 20 Tests in the next 12 months. &nbsp;Neser, 36, was Australia’s unusual hero during the home Ashes last winter, picking up 15 wickets at an average under 20, including his maiden Test five-wicket haul at the Gabba and two four-fors in Melbourne and Sydney. Having impressed in the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood against England, Neser was in full training mode and on standby for the Bangladesh Tests, should an injury occur to anyone. However, he suffered an unexpected calf injury while doing a running session this week and is now ruled out for a month. &nbsp;Following his rehab, he will need to rebuild his bowling load, as Australian selectors will likely have him on board for the first Test tour of South Africa since 2018.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/2027-odi-world-cup-qualifier-dates-format-qualification-scenarios-1785930116838">2027 CWC Qualifier set for February-March window with tournament venues undecided</a> &nbsp;Neser has been injury-free since his major hamstring injury in November 2024, and after his Ashes heroics, Cricket Australia (CA) offered him a central contract. He also did not travel to England to play for Hampshire earlier in the winter to remain fresh for Australia’s array of Test series both home and away.<h2>How is Australia gearing up for home summer?</h2>Neser’s injury, however, is not the only blow to the hosts ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh, as keeper-batter Josh Inglis also suffered back spasms while batting during a two-day-centre-wicket practice. But since it is a recurrence of an issue he has been dealing with lately, Inglis is said to be fine before the squad leaves for Darwin for the series opener. &nbsp;On the other hand, the pace attack of Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and Scott Boland are all in good shape, with the final decision likely to be made between Boland and Hazlewood for the final spot in the playing XI. Ace spinner Nathan Lyon is also expected to play on his return from hamstring surgery. &nbsp;On the batting front, the two all-rounders, Cameron Green and Beau Webster, are both expected to feature in the playing XI, with Green batting at five.

Michael Neser suffers a calf strain ahead of Australia's Test series against Bangladesh in Darwin, but targets a return for the South Africa tour in October.

Australia’s Ashes hero Michael Neser suffered a right calf strain in training but remains hopeful of recovering in time for the away marquee Test tour of South Africa in October. Although Neser was not picked for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home, starting August 13 in Darwin, he was part of the extended pace group slated to feature in at least 20 Tests in the next 12 months. Neser, 36, was Australia’s unusual hero during the home Ashes last winter, picking up 15 wickets at an average under 20, including his maiden Test five-wicket haul at the Gabba and two four-fors in Melbourne and Sydney. Having impressed in the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood against England, Neser was in full training mode and on standby for the Bangladesh Tests, should an injury occur to anyone. However, he suffered an unexpected calf injury while doing a running session this week and is now ruled out for a month. Following his rehab, he will need to rebuild his bowling load, as Australian selectors will likely have him on board for the first Test tour of South Africa since 2018. Also read| 2027 CWC Qualifier set for February-March window with tournament venues undecided Neser has been injury-free since his major hamstring injury in November 2024, and after his Ashes heroics, Cricket Australia (CA) offered him a central contract. He also did not travel to England to play for Hampshire earlier in the winter to remain fresh for Australia’s array of Test series both home and away. How is Australia gearing up for home summer? Neser’s injury, however, is not the only blow to the hosts ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh, as keeper-batter Josh Inglis also suffered back spasms while batting during a two-day-centre-wicket practice. But since it is a recurrence of an issue he has been dealing with lately, Inglis is said to be fine before the squad leaves for Darwin for the series opener. On the other hand, the pace attack of Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and Scott Boland are all in good shape, with the final decision likely to be made between Boland and Hazlewood for the final spot in the playing XI. Ace spinner Nathan Lyon is also expected to play on his return from hamstring surgery. On the batting front, the two all-rounders, Cameron Green and Beau Webster, are both expected to feature in the playing XI, with Green batting at five.

Michael Neser suffers a calf strain ahead of Australia's Test series against Bangladesh in Darwin, but targets a return for the South Africa tour in October.

Australia Ashes hero Neser suffers calf injury, remains hopeful for South Africa tour

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AUS vs BAN 2026, 1st Test Preview: Darwin’s 22-year wait ends as Australia name final XI

Australia Ashes hero suffers calf injury, remains hopeful for South Africa tour