Australia and Bangladesh start first men’s Test in Darwin

Australia and Bangladesh began the first men’s Test in Darwin on 13 August 2026 as play got under way.

After three overs Australia were 12-0, with Head on 6 and Weatherald on 4. Taskin bowled a tidy third over, landing five consecutive accurate deliveries before a drifting ball allowed Head a leg single. Earlier, after two overs Australia were 11-0 (Head 5, Weatherald 4); Hasan Mahmud shared the new ball, had taken four wickets in the warm-up match against the CA XI and looked dangerous early on, while Weatherald hit a thick-edged four and was later beaten by a delivery that shaped in and nipped away. Ricky Ponting said Weatherald was standing taller in his crease and the live coverage noted a backlift that bobbed back and forth.