Australia vs Bangladesh 2nd Test: Australia will face Bangladesh in the second Test of the 2026 NRMA Insurance Test series from August 22 to 26, 2026, at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Queensland. The match is scheduled to begin at 10:00am local time each day.
Bangladesh head into the second Test with confidence after producing a stunning victory over Australia in the opening match in Darwin. Australia, meanwhile, will be determined to bounce back and level the two-match series.
Australia vs Bangladesh 2nd Test: Match Details
| Match | Australia vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test |
|---|---|
| Series | NRMA Insurance Test Series 2026 |
| Date | August 22–26, 2026 |
| Venue | Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay |
| Start Time | 10:00am local time |
| Format | Test Cricket |
| Australia Captain | Pat Cummins |
| Bangladesh Captain | Najmul Hossain Shanto |
Mackay is set to host its first men’s Test match, becoming Australia’s 12th men’s Test venue.
Australia vs Bangladesh 2nd Test Start Time
The second Test will begin at 10:00am AEST in Mackay.
International viewers can follow the match at these approximate times:
- Australia: 10:00am AEST
- Western Australia: 8:00am AWST
- United Kingdom: 1:00am BST
- Pakistan: 5:00am PKT
The match is scheduled to run from August 22 through August 26, with the usual Test match reserve time available if required.
Where to Watch Australia vs Bangladesh 2nd Test Live
Australian viewers can watch the Test through Channel Seven, 7plus, Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
International broadcast arrangements vary by territory. Cricket Australia lists JioHotstar for Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and several other South Asian markets, while DAZN, Sky NZ, Willow and other broadcasters cover different international regions.
Fans can also follow live scores, match updates, news, highlights and reactions through Cricket Australia’s digital coverage.
Australia Team News
Australia suffered a major setback in the first Test and will now look to make changes ahead of the Mackay match.
Jake Weatherald has been dropped from the squad following scores of 23 and 0 in Darwin. Queensland batter Matthew Renshaw has been recalled and is in contention for a place in Australia’s playing XI.
The Australian squad includes:
Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster and Matthew Renshaw.
Possible Australia Playing XI
- Travis Head
- Matthew Renshaw
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Cameron Green
- Alex Carey (wicketkeeper)
- Beau Webster
- Pat Cummins (captain)
- Mitchell Starc
- Nathan Lyon
- Josh Hazlewood
The biggest selection question is whether Renshaw comes straight into the XI as Weatherald’s replacement.
Bangladesh Team News
Bangladesh produced one of the biggest surprises of the opening Test by defeating Australia in Darwin.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto will be hoping his team can maintain that momentum in Mackay. Bangladesh also have additional bowling depth available, with Shoriful Islam declared fit for selection.
Nahid Rana, however, has returned to Bangladesh to begin rehabilitation after suffering a side strain.
The Bangladesh squad includes:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Amite Hasan, Jaker Ali, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Musfik Hasan, Litton Das and Shoriful Islam.
Possible Bangladesh Playing XI
- Tanzid Hasan Tamim
- Shadman Islam
- Mominul Haque
- Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain)
- Mushfiqur Rahim
- Litton Das (wicketkeeper)
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz
- Hasan Mahmud
- Taijul Islam
- Taskin Ahmed
- Ebadot Hossain
After such an impressive performance in Darwin, Bangladesh may decide to keep the winning combination largely unchanged.
Australia vs Bangladesh First Test Result
Bangladesh stunned Australia in the opening Test of the series, winning by nine wickets in Darwin.
The result gives Bangladesh a 1–0 series lead and puts Australia under pressure heading into the Mackay Test.
Australia must win the second Test to avoid losing the two-match series.
Great Barrier Reef Arena: Mackay Test Venue
The Great Barrier Reef Arena at Harrup Park in Mackay will make history when it hosts its first men’s Test.
Mackay becomes Australia’s 12th men’s Test venue, adding another location to the country’s growing list of international cricket grounds.
The venue has previously hosted professional red-ball cricket and international white-ball matches. Its upgraded facilities include a large grandstand, broadcasting infrastructure and elite training facilities.
Australia vs Bangladesh 2nd Test Session Times
The expected daily session schedule is:
- First Session: 10:00am–12:00pm AEST
- Second Session: 12:40pm–2:40pm AEST
- Third Session: 3:00pm–5:00pm AEST
An additional period may be used to complete the required overs.
Key Players to Watch
Steve Smith – Australia
Steve Smith remains one of Australia’s most important Test batters. Australia will need a major contribution from its experienced middle order if it is to recover from the first-Test defeat.
Travis Head – Australia
Travis Head’s aggressive approach could be crucial against Bangladesh’s bowling attack, particularly if the Mackay surface offers good batting conditions.
Nathan Lyon – Australia
Nathan Lyon could become a major factor as the Test progresses. His ability to extract turn and bounce will be important against Bangladesh’s experienced batting lineup.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz – Bangladesh
Mehidy Hasan Miraz was instrumental in Bangladesh’s success in Darwin and remains one of the team’s biggest match-winners with both bat and ball.
Najmul Hossain Shanto – Bangladesh
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto will be central to his team’s attempt to complete a historic Test series victory in Australia.
Australia vs Bangladesh 2nd Test Prediction
Australia will enter the Mackay Test as the team under greater pressure after losing the opening match. Playing at a new Test venue could also create an interesting challenge for both sides.
Bangladesh, however, will have enormous confidence after their Darwin victory.
Australia’s batting response and Bangladesh’s spin attack could ultimately determine the outcome.
Prediction: Australia to fight back strongly, but Bangladesh have a genuine chance of making history by winning the Test series.
Australia vs Bangladesh Test Series Schedule
First Test: August 13–17, Marrara Stadium, Darwin — Bangladesh won by nine wickets
Second Test: August 22–26, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay
The two-match series will conclude in Mackay, with Australia needing a victory to level the series.
Final Word
The Australia vs Bangladesh 2nd Test 2026 promises to be a fascinating contest after Bangladesh’s remarkable victory in Darwin.
Australia will be desperate to respond, while Bangladesh will look to maintain their momentum and secure a historic Test series win on Australian soil.
With Steve Smith, Travis Head, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim all expected to play important roles, cricket fans can expect another highly competitive Test in Mackay.
Follow our website for Australia vs Bangladesh live score, 2nd Test updates, playing XI, wickets, highlights, results and latest cricket news.
