Australia ended the first day of the Mackay Test 101 runs ahead of Bangladesh after Bangladesh were dismissed for 64 and Australia reached 165 for eight. A total of 18 wickets fell during the day. Australia, having won the toss, chose to bowl on a fast, bouncy surface and dismantled Bangladesh’s batting lineup.

Mitchell Starc took six wickets for 12 runs as Bangladesh collapsed, with four of their first five batters dismissed without scoring. Shariful Islam was Bangladesh’s highest scorer with 14 runs from No. 10, including three boundaries, while no other Bangladesh batter made more than nine. Bangladesh had been reduced to 39 for nine before finishing on 64.

Shariful responded with a career-best six for 35, matching Starc’s wicket tally and providing Bangladesh some consolation. The left-arm pacer, who missed the first Test of the series because of injury, claimed his first five-wicket haul in Tests against Australia. Despite Australia’s sizeable lead, Bangladesh’s bowling effort kept the contest alive at the end of the opening day.

Bangladesh left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam marked his return from injury with his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket during the second and final Test against Australia in Mackay. He produced career-best bowling figures in Australia’s second innings, taking six of the first eight wickets to fall. Shoriful completed his five wickets in 8.5 overs and later bowled Mitchell Starc to claim his sixth wicket.

Before this match, Shoriful’s best innings figures in Tests were three wickets for 28 runs, while his best match figures were five wickets for 56 runs across two innings. His performance against Australia surpassed both previous personal records in a single innings. He had missed the Darwin Test through injury, when Hasan Mahmud led Bangladesh’s pace attack alongside Ebadot Hossain.

Shoriful now holds Bangladesh’s second-fastest Test five-wicket haul by overs bowled. Taijul Islam remains first after taking five wickets in 6.5 overs against West Indies in Chattogram in 2018. Shoriful is also Bangladesh’s second fast bowler to take five wickets in a Test in Australia, following Hasan’s six-wicket haul in the Darwin Test.

Bangladesh collapsed to 35 for six at lunch on the opening morning of the second Test against Australia in Mackay on 22 August 2026. After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, Bangladesh’s top and middle order were dismantled by Australia’s pace attack, led by left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc.

Starc took five wickets within the first four overs, reaching the five-wicket mark before lunch. The report said his pace above 140 kilometres per hour, swing and bounce forced repeated errors from Bangladesh’s batters. Difficulty handling extra bounce, edging balls played close to the body and weakness outside off stump were cited as major reasons for the collapse. Australia captain Pat Cummins took the other wicket.

Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Mushfiqur Rahim attempted to offer resistance after the early setbacks. However, Cummins bowled Mushfiqur when a good-length delivery moved inward and hit the stumps. Hasan Mahmud and Miraz then tried to see out the first session. Bangladesh entered the match after a historic nine-wicket win in Darwin, but now face a difficult task of building a substantial first-innings total.

All first-day tickets for Bangladesh’s second and final Test against Australia in Mackay, Queensland, have sold out, Cricket Australia announced on social media. The match is scheduled to begin on August 22, following Bangladesh’s historic victory in the opening Test of the two-match series.

Bangladesh won the Darwin Test by nine wickets, a result described as a major and memorable achievement in the team’s Test history. Hasan Mahmud led the victory with nine wickets across the two innings, while Tanzid Hasan Tamim made a century and played an important role in the emphatic win.

The report says Bangladesh had entered the Australia tour after an innings defeat to Zimbabwe, prompting questions about whether the side could compete in the Test series. Their performance in Australia has since drawn praise across the cricket world. Interest among Bangladeshi expatriates in Australia has also increased ahead of the Mackay Test, reflected in ticket sales. Bangladesh now have an opportunity to win the series with another strong result in Mackay.

Bangladesh defeated host Australia by nine wickets in Darwin to secure their first Test victory on Australian soil, prompting widespread praise across the cricket world. The landmark win by Najmul Hossain Shanto’s team was reported on August 16, 2026, with former and current cricketers reacting on social media to Bangladesh’s commanding performance.

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen expressed surprise, while former Sri Lanka cricketer and commentator Russell Arnold called the achievement remarkable and unbelievable against a leading team at home. Former India opener Wasim Jaffer described it as a historic achievement and a major moment for Bangladesh cricket. Former Australia fast bowler Damien Fleming said Darwin had become an inseparable chapter in Bangladesh’s cricket history.

Former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews cited the result while questioning the ICC’s proposed two-tier Test system. Ian Bishop said Bangladesh deserved respect and recognition, highlighting contributions from Mehedi, Tanzid, Hasan Mahmud, coach Phil Simmons and the wider team. A former Indian cricketer also said the victory underlined the importance of designated Test venues, noting that Darwin’s conditions had surprised Australia.

Australian media outlets have sharply criticized the national cricket team after Bangladesh secured a historic nine-wicket victory in Darwin. The defeat of Australia, described in the source as the top team in the World Test Championship, has put batting failures and team selection under scrutiny. Several reports characterized the result as one of the biggest setbacks in Australia’s home cricket history.

News.com.au highlighted Bangladesh’s dominance and Australia’s fragile batting in its match analysis. The Australian used stronger language, calling the loss embarrassing and saying Bangladesh had dismantled Australia in the Darwin Test. ABC said the unexpected defeat had raised long-term questions for Australian cricket, while noting that Bangladesh’s strong bowling exposed weaknesses in Australia’s batting lineup.

Fox Cricket said selectors must make difficult decisions after what it called one of Australia’s biggest Test upsets. Its analysis called for changes to both batting and bowling, and said several Australian players faced a final opportunity to retain their places. Media criticism focused particularly on the top order, whose failures across both innings, inability to stay at the crease, and lack of resistance against Bangladesh’s bowlers were cited as major reasons for the defeat.

Australia will begin a major gun buyback programme in New South Wales on November 2 following a deadly shooting at a Jewish religious festival at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the plan, under which members of the public can surrender rifles and handguns to the government. Compensation of up to A$1,000 will be available for each weapon returned.

The initiative follows the December 14, 2025 shooting during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, in which 15 people were killed. The government moved to tighten gun laws nationwide after the attack. Government data showed Australia had a record 4.1 million firearms last year, including more than 1.1 million in New South Wales, the country’s most populous state.

Albanese said the number of weapons is now higher than it was during the 1996 buyback following the Port Arthur killings, which left 35 people dead. The new plan is being viewed as Australia’s biggest gun return programme since then. New South Wales has also capped individual firearm ownership at four weapons and tightened licence checks and measures against hateful activity.

Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, secured their first Test victory on Australian soil by beating Australia by nine wickets at Marrara Stadium in Darwin. The result, reported on August 16, 2026, came 23 years after Bangladesh returned to play Test cricket in Australia. Bangladesh now lead the two-Test series 1-0.

Australia were bowled out for 284 in their second innings, leaving Bangladesh a target of 57. Tanzid Hasan Tamim was dismissed for a duck, but Mominul Haque and Shadman Islam completed the chase. Mominul remained unbeaten on 30 and Shadman on 25. Bangladesh’s players celebrated after the winning runs, while expatriate supporters in the stands chanted for Bangladesh.

Mehedi Hasan Miraz led Bangladesh’s second-innings bowling with five wickets for 66 runs. Hasan Mahmud took three wickets and finished with nine wickets in the match, earning the player-of-the-match award. Cameron Green made 104 for Australia in the second innings. Australia entered the series as the top-ranked Test side, while Bangladesh were ninth, and one Test remains.

Bangladesh retained control of the Darwin Test against Australia at the end of the third day, according to a report published on August 16, 2026. Australia, the hosts, were still 67 runs behind Bangladesh’s first-innings total in their second innings, with six wickets in hand. Mehedi Hasan Miraz made a half-century, while Hasan Mahmud took two further wickets in Australia’s second innings to raise his match tally to eight.

Bangladesh batted for 138 overs in their first innings, their highest number of overs in an innings against Australia. Their previous record was 123.3 overs in the 2006 Fatullah Test. It was also Bangladesh’s 17th innings outside the country in which they batted for more than 120 overs. Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood took six wickets in Bangladesh’s first innings, his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests.

Hazlewood reached 300 Test wickets, becoming the ninth Australian bowler and seventh fast bowler to do so. Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins are the four Australian bowlers in this match with at least 300 Test wickets each. Statistics cited said teams holding leads of more than 200 runs have won 80.6% of Tests, while Australia have never won at home after a first-innings deficit exceeding 206 runs.

Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 65 from 154 balls against Australia in the Darwin Test, setting Bangladesh’s highest individual Test score by a batter coming in at No. 7 or lower. His innings helped Bangladesh reach 426 in their first innings and take a lead of more than 200 runs.

Miraz arrived with Bangladesh at 306 for five, before Mushfiqur Rahim was dismissed shortly afterward with the score at 308 for six. Batting with the lower order, he built a resistance that placed the side in a strong position against the Australian bowling attack. The report also cited contributions from Tanzid Tamim and Shanto.

Miraz has taken 219 Test wickets for Bangladesh since his debut, the country’s second-highest tally among bowlers, while scoring 2,296 runs. The report says only Miraz and India’s Ravindra Jadeja have achieved more than 2,000 Test runs and 200 wickets since debut. Two days remained in the match, with attention on whether Miraz could add further records.

Bangladesh ended the third day of the Darwin Test with a 67-run lead despite Australia mounting resistance in their second innings. After trailing by 228 runs, the hosts reached 161 for four at stumps. Cameron Green was unbeaten on 43 and Alex Carey on 19, leaving Australia’s deficit at 67 runs.

Bangladesh had dismissed Australia for 198 in the first innings before making 426. Tanzid Hasan scored a century, while Najmul Hossain Shanto made a half-century and Mehedi Hasan Miraz added an effective fifty to build the substantial lead. Australia’s Josh Hazlewood took four wickets in Bangladesh’s innings and finished with six first-innings wickets.

Australia lost both openers for 37, with Hasan Mahmud bowling Jake Weatherald for nought and also dismissing Travis Head. Taijul Islam removed Marnus Labuschagne for 31, ending a 36-run partnership with Steve Smith. Miraz then dismissed Smith for 44 off 88 balls. Green and Carey added an unbeaten 39 runs from 94 balls, and Australia’s effort to reduce the deficit will be a central issue on day four.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has asked US President Donald Trump to withdraw tariffs imposed on Australia, or at least not raise them further. Speaking to journalists on Friday, Albanese said he had discussed the matter with Trump and urged him to consider a full removal of the measures. The report was published on August 14, 2026.

The United States imposed a 12.5 percent tariff on Australian goods last month, citing concerns about forced labour. It also imposed tariffs on 59 other countries for the same reason. Albanese described his discussion with Trump as “warm and constructive” and said the US president had agreed to consider exempting Australia from the tariffs.

Albanese said Australia views tariffs as economic pressure and supports free and fair trade, arguing that tariffs also carry costs for the countries that impose them. Their discussion also covered progress on the AUKUS defence partnership involving Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. Under the arrangement, Australia is expected to receive at least three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the United States within 15 years. Albanese also reiterated Australia’s opposition to Iran possessing nuclear weapons and called for an end to conflict in the Middle East.

Australia won the toss and elected to bat in the first Test of the series against Bangladesh in Darwin on August 13, 2026. Despite grass and some moisture on the pitch that could assist new-ball bowlers early, captain Pat Cummins chose to bat first. At the time of reporting, Australia were 36 without loss after 10 overs, beginning their innings cautiously while assessing the wicket's behaviour.

Bangladesh recalled wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das, while injuries ruled Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam out of the match. Hasan Mahmud shared new-ball duties with Taskin Ahmed, and Ebadot Hossain was selected as the third fast bowler. Najmul Hossain Shanto captains the visitors, whose XI also includes Tanzeed Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam.

Josh Hazlewood returned to Australia's XI, joining Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon in the hosts' bowling attack. Travis Head and Jake Weatherald opened, while Cameron Green and Beau Webster were included as all-rounders. Bangladesh are playing a Test in Australia after 23 years and aim to maintain their recent positive Test form in Darwin.

Mushfiqur Rahim is set to play his first Test match in Australia when Bangladesh take the field in Darwin tomorrow for his 104th Test. The 39-year-old batter is 194 runs short of 7,000 Test runs, making the two-match series against Australia a potentially historic and emotional stage in his long career. He will need a substantial early contribution in the series to reach the milestone.

The report says several prominent players from a generation of Bangladesh cricketers, including Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, did not get the opportunity to play Tests in Australia. Rahim now has the chance to complete that missing part of his career, though Australia’s strong pace attack presents a difficult challenge. Bangladesh will also play a Test on a drop-in pitch for the first time in Darwin.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said Bangladesh are prepared to adapt to the unfamiliar conditions after good preparation. He said the grass-covered surface should offer assistance to both batters and bowlers, with bowlers possibly receiving slightly more help. Bangladesh were bowled out for 54 and lost by an innings in a practice match against a Cricket Australia XI, but Shanto said he was not placing importance on that result. Bangladesh have won one of six Tests against Australia.

Ahead of Bangladesh’s latest Test tour of Australia, memories have resurfaced of the team’s historic 2003 visit. Former Bangladesh captain Khaled Mahmud recalled Australian captain Steve Waugh offering encouragement before the first Test in Darwin. Waugh addressed criticism made by former Australia batter David Hookes, describing it as “the words of a madman,” according to Mahmud.

Before the series, Hookes had written that Waugh’s side should beat Bangladesh within a day and argued that Bangladesh did not deserve to remain in Test cricket. Mahmud said Waugh told him not to worry, adding that Bangladesh were a better team than that assessment and would play well against Australia. Mahmud said the comments increased Bangladesh’s confidence.

Mahmud described Australia as a tough opponent on the field but fully professional in its conduct. Although Bangladesh had heard about Australian players’ sledging, he said Waugh’s team never crossed the line and relied on planning and professionalism. After the match, Waugh invited Bangladesh’s team into Australia’s dressing room. Mahmud advised the current Bangladesh side to enjoy every moment of the tour.