Australia news - Darwin and Mackay dates confirmed for Bangladesh's Top End tour

Mackay’s first Test match and Darwin’s return to action for the first time since 2004 have been confirmed as the date for Bangladesh’s two-match series against Australia in August has been confirmed.

The opening Test will be played at Darwin’s Marrara Stadium from August 13 to 17, with the second Test taking place at the Great Barrier Reef Arena from August 22 to 26. This will be the first Test series between the two countries since 2017 and only the second Test series to be played in Australia since they met in 2003. They were scheduled to meet in Bangladesh in mid-2020, but the series was canceled due to COVID-19.

The upcoming series is part of the current cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) and will kick off a busy format for Australia with at least 20 matches to be played from August 2024 to July 2025.

Darwin and Mackay both took part in Australia’s white-ball top-end series against South Africa last year. Darwin had conducted two previous tests. Australia faced Bangladesh in 2003 and Sri Lanka in 2004.

“It is no secret that the international calendar is busy at the moment and we are fortunate to have world-class facilities available in August, giving us another opportunity for Test cricket beyond the summer,” said Todd Greenberg, CEO of Cricket Australia.

The Mackay match will serve as Queensland’s only Test for next season, with the Gabba ruled out over the summer when New Zealand visits Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney for four matches. Uncertainty about the future of the Gabba around the 2032 Olympics has hampered plans, but it is expected to return to schedule before being demolished after the Olympics.

They will then travel to India for a five-match series in January and February before hosting England for the 150th Test at the MCG in March. The next away Ashes will be played in June and July 2027, with the WTC final likely to be played before then if Australia qualify.

Australia is also scheduled to visit Bangladesh this June for ODIs and T20Is.

Source Link : https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1525849.html?ex_cid=OTC-RSS

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