Simmons urges Bangladesh to put Darwin emotions aside and focus on Mackay Test

On August 21, 2026, Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons urged his players to set aside the emotions from their historic victory in Darwin and concentrate on the second Test against Australia in Mackay.

He issued the reminder after Bangladesh stunned Australia by nine wickets in the series opener to take a 1-0 lead, a result built on a strong all-round performance by the visitors across four days. With Australia expected to come back strongly at the Great Barrier Reef Arena, Simmons warned against lingering on the significance of the Darwin win. “Before we came here, we talked about how this is going to be a very challenging series for us. We have to enjoy these opportunities and this challenge. After the first Test, there are a lot of emotions,” Simmons said.

The match in Darwin saw Australia bowled out for 198, with Hasan Mahmud recording career-best figures. Bangladesh replied with 426, powered by Tanzid Hasan’s 101 alongside Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 84 and Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s 65. Australia’s reply featured Cameron Green’s 104, but Mehidy’s five-wicket haul left Bangladesh requiring only 57 to seal the win.

Simmons underlined the need for steady preparation and professional approach, saying: “As professional cricketers, we have to come [up] again and again when we are going to face new conditions and a new challenge. So, the last couple of days we had a very good preparation phase, and the players are very much professional,” he added. He stressed the team must recreate that professionalism against a different attack and in different conditions in Mackay.

Australia have already made one change for the Mackay Test, bringing Matt Renshaw back into the side for Jake Weatherald. Simmons acknowledged the pride surrounding the Darwin victory while urging focus on the next match: “It’s a proud moment for all of the players – even ex-cricketers from Bangladesh. But it’s done; I think it’s gone. We need to play five days of good cricket again,” Simmons said. “This is a very important Test match for us to do well again [against] this bowling and batting attack. We did a great job [in Darwin], but we need to focus on this Test match.”

Bangladesh returned to playing Test cricket in Australia after 23 years and immediately tasted success in the series opener. The win in Darwin represents their first Test victory on Australian soil and has given the touring side momentum ahead of the next fixture.

They now have a chance to secure their first-ever Test series victory over Australia if they can replicate their Darwin heroics in Mackay.