Mysteries of Darwin await Bangladesh on their return to Australian shores

It started with a couple of golf balls landing on top of a net. But then it started to feel like a full-fledged aerial assault as multiple spherical objects started dropping around the practice area at the Marrara Oval No 2 even while Bangladesh continued to go through their paces. It was among the rarer causes for a nets session of a team two days out from a Test match to get intruded. Made only hilarious by the fact that the golf balls were being sent their way due to a bunch of errant drives from the Australian team who’d, as per the norm these days, found a suitable tee time at the Darwin Golf Club which suitably surrounds the two cricket ovals inside the Marrara sports compound. While Marnus Labuschagne blamed it entirely on Steve Smith, he was as guilty as were a couple of his teammates for not being able to maintain their radar.

It's one of the many unique aspects of Test cricket returning to Darwin after a 22-year hiatus. To start with how the cricket season has commenced in Australia in the month of August with the footy seasons very much in their prime and about to enter the business end. The location itself which in addition to the proximity of the golf course lends itself for some interesting quirks, like how the drop-in pitch had to be delivered in two parts and put together because of some logistical restraints. The number of unknowns around conditions, whether it’s how the surface will play or even the role the morning dew might have on play.

And then the fact that it’s been 23 years since a Bangladesh team stepped foot on these shores for a Test match. A first for all the players in this team, including Mushfiqur Rahim in his 22nd year as a Test cricketer, and a first for many within the Australian camp too, having not played a Test against Bangladesh.

It's safe to say that there is a tinge of pessimism around how competitive the Bangladeshis will manage to be in these highly alien conditions against the might of the Australian attack in particular. But they do come in as still being in the hunt for a slot in the World Test Championship final. But they’ll be hoping that that other Darwinism, “everything is Down South when you are in Darwin” doesn’t stand true for their hopes of holding on to that position.

When:Australia v Bangladesh, 1st Test, August 13-17, 2026, 10:00 hrs Local Time, 10:30 hrs AEST, 06:00 hrs IST

Where:Marrara Oval, Darwin

What to expect:With the weather conditions the way they are in this part of the country, there are no surprises that the curator has left a lot more greenery on top of the surface than usual. According to a few of the Australian players who got a good look at the pitch, it’s hard as a rock and is expected to get quicker as the first day progresses, which would make Bangladesh’s task even harder. There is a bit of rain forecast for Sunday, what would be Day 4 but the torrential wet season has ended for the year in the Northern Territory so the weather shouldn’t have a say in how this Test match plays out.

Team News

Australia: For the first time in what feels like a long time, the Aussie selectors have had the luxury to choose from a fully fit core group, and they’ve decided to bring Josh Hazlewood back to play his first Test in a year at the expense of Scott Boland. Also returning are captain Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, both of whom last played in the Adelaide Ashes Test. All eyes will be on Cameron Green who gets to play in another different position, at No 5, but one that he’s thrived on the most in Shield cricket.

Playing XI:Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Bangladesh: Litton Das’ fitness was the major storyline of Bangladesh’s practice sessions since they arrived in Darwin, and there was visible excitement in captain Najmul Shanto’s voice as he spoke about his enforcer being back in the side. The other question was whether they’d stick with their usual dual spin attack, which they seem to have done with both Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz putting in a lot of work alongside spin consultant Mushtaq Ahmed. The final piece of the puzzle is the identity of the third seamer with Hasan Mahmud, fresh from a county stint for Kent, competing for the spot against the veteran Khaleel Ahmed.

Probable XI: Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, Najmul Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud/Khaleel Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain

Did you know?

Josh Hazlewood is only five wickets short of 300 Test wickets

The bowling quarter of Hazlewood, Starc, Cummins and Lyon haven't featured in a Test for year

What they said:

"I feel like Greeny's a good No. 5, so you can try and get funky, but we thought that's kind of how the team will function the best." - Pat Cummins, Australia's captain

"There will be a challenge and they have been a brilliant bowling attack, world-class bowling attack. But as a team, it's a good opportunity to challenge them and accept those challenges. I'm pretty confident that the boys are ready and they will enjoy this challenge" - Najmul Hossain, Bangladesh's captain

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