Australia vs Bangladesh 2nd Test: Prediction, Dream11 Team, Playing XI, Pitch & Weather Report
The Australia vs Bangladesh prediction for the second Test of the 2026 series is one of the most intriguing red-ball contests of the year, with Australia needing a victory to level the series after Bangladesh produced a historic nine-wicket win in Darwin. The second Test begins on Saturday, August 22, at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, which is hosting its first men’s Test match. Play is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM local time in Queensland, which is 5:30 AM IST.
Australia entered the series as the World Test Championship leaders but were comprehensively outplayed in the opening Test. Bangladesh’s victory was their first Test win on Australian soil and only their second overall against Australia.
Australia were bowled out for just 198 in their first innings in Darwin, with Steve Smith’s 71 providing the main resistance. Their second innings was considerably better, with Cameron Green scoring a patient 104, but the hosts managed only 284. Bangladesh then chased just 57 in the fourth innings to complete the historic victory.
Josh Hazlewood was Australia’s standout bowler in the first Test, claiming six wickets in Bangladesh’s first innings. However, the Australian batting lineup struggled against Bangladesh’s disciplined pace attack.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, produced an outstanding team performance. Tanzid Hasan scored 101, Najmul Hossain Shanto made 84 and Mehidy Hasan Miraz contributed 65 as Bangladesh posted 426.
Hasan Mahmud was the match-winner with nine wickets. His six-wicket first-innings haul and three second-innings wickets earned him Player of the Match honours.
Australia have reacted by dropping Jake Weatherald after scores of 23 and 0 and recalling Matthew Renshaw. Renshaw returns to the Test side after more than three years away.
Bangladesh have the confidence of a historic victory, but Australia remain a formidable Test side with Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon, Smith and Green. The Mackay surface and the pressure of a must-win match could make this a completely different contest.
For this Australia vs Bangladesh prediction, Australia remain the favourites, but Bangladesh have proved that they cannot be underestimated.
- Australia are predicted to win the second Test and level the series 1-1.
- Bangladesh lead the two-Test series 1-0 after their historic Darwin victory.
- Cameron Green, Steve Smith and Josh Hazlewood are Australia’s key players.
- Hasan Mahmud, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Tanzid Hasan are Bangladesh’s biggest threats.
Match Details
| Match | Australia vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Australia vs Bangladesh Test Series 2026 |
| Match | 2nd Test |
| Date | Saturday, August 22, 2026 |
| Time | 10:00 AM local / 5:30 AM IST |
| Venue | Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay |
| Format | Test |
| Series | Australia lead? No – Bangladesh lead 1-0 |
| Australia | Pat Cummins (C) |
| Bangladesh | Najmul Hossain Shanto (C) |
| Broadcast | Channel 7, 7plus, Kayo Sports, Foxtel |
| Prediction | Australia to win |
The Mackay Test is scheduled for August 22-26, with play beginning at 10:00 AM local time. It will be the first men’s Test hosted at Great Barrier Reef Arena.
Australia Preview
Australia enter the second Test under considerable pressure after their nine-wicket defeat against Bangladesh in Darwin. The result was a major shock because Australia had entered the series as the World Test Championship leaders and were expected to dominate at home.
The biggest problem was Australia’s batting. They were dismissed for only 198 in the first innings, with Steve Smith’s 71 the standout contribution.
Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green could not make significant contributions in the first innings, putting enormous pressure on the middle and lower order.
Australia improved considerably in their second innings. Cameron Green produced an excellent century, scoring 104 from 201 balls. His innings demonstrated the application needed in Test cricket and was one of the few major positives from the defeat.
Steve Smith also contributed 44, while Alex Carey and Beau Webster added useful runs.
However, 284 was not enough because Bangladesh had already built a huge first-innings advantage.
Australia’s bowling was better than their batting. Josh Hazlewood was outstanding, taking six wickets in Bangladesh’s first innings.
Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins also contributed wickets, but Nathan Lyon could not make the desired impact on a surface that offered relatively limited assistance to spin.
Australia then struggled to defend a target of only 57 in the fourth innings. Hazlewood took the only wicket as Bangladesh completed the chase comfortably.
The defeat has resulted in a selection change. Jake Weatherald has been dropped after scores of 23 and 0, with Matthew Renshaw returning to the Test squad.
Renshaw has been recalled after strong Sheffield Shield form, including 499 runs at an average of 49.90.
The Australian top order therefore has a point to prove. Travis Head will be expected to provide an aggressive start, while Smith and Green remain the most dependable recent performers.
Pat Cummins will also have to lead from the front with the ball. Starc and Hazlewood are capable of exploiting any early movement, while Lyon remains a major threat if the pitch begins to deteriorate.
Australia’s biggest advantage is experience. They have players accustomed to performing under extreme pressure, and a must-win Test could bring the best out of their senior stars.
The main concern remains their batting technique against Bangladesh’s seam attack. If Australia lose early wickets again, the pressure will quickly return.
The Mackay Test is also a historic occasion for Australian cricket, as Great Barrier Reef Arena hosts its first men’s Test.
Australia should therefore be determined to respond strongly.
Key Players: Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood
Bangladesh Preview
Bangladesh arrive in Mackay with enormous confidence after achieving arguably one of the biggest victories in their Test history.
Their nine-wicket win in Darwin gave them a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series and marked their first-ever Test victory on Australian soil.
Bangladesh’s success was based on an outstanding team performance rather than one individual.
After dismissing Australia for 198, Bangladesh produced 426 in their first innings. Tanzid Hasan was the standout opener, scoring an impressive 101 from 197 balls.
His century was particularly important because it provided Bangladesh with a strong platform after their bowlers had already put Australia under pressure.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto continued the momentum with a composed 84. His ability to build partnerships and absorb pressure was crucial.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz also made a valuable contribution with 65. Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das added useful runs to push Bangladesh’s lead beyond 200.
Bangladesh therefore entered the fourth innings needing only 57 to win.
Shadman Islam remained unbeaten on 25 while Mominul Haque finished unbeaten on 30 as Bangladesh completed the chase with nine wickets remaining.
The bowling performance was arguably even more impressive.
Hasan Mahmud was exceptional, taking six wickets in Australia’s first innings and another three in the second innings. His nine-wicket match haul earned him Player of the Match honours.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz also made a major impact with the ball, while Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain provided important breakthroughs.
Bangladesh’s pace attack was particularly effective against Australia’s batting. Their disciplined lengths and ability to extract mistakes from the Australian top order were central to the victory.
The team now has the opportunity to complete a historic series sweep.
Bangladesh also have selection depth. Shoriful Islam has passed his fitness test and is available, although the selectors may be reluctant to alter a winning combination.
The biggest challenge will be maintaining the same intensity. Australia will almost certainly respond aggressively after their humiliating defeat.
Bangladesh also have less experience playing multiple Tests in Australian conditions, although their Darwin performance has already removed many doubts.
If Hasan Mahmud continues his current form and the top order produces another strong first innings, Bangladesh can put Australia under enormous pressure again.
Their biggest advantage is confidence. They now know they can beat Australia in Australian conditions.
Key Players: Hasan Mahmud, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Tanzid Hasan
Team Squad
Australia Squad
| Player |
|---|
| Travis Head |
| Matthew Renshaw |
| Marnus Labuschagne |
| Steven Smith |
| Cameron Green |
| Alex Carey |
| Beau Webster |
| Pat Cummins |
| Mitchell Starc |
| Nathan Lyon |
| Josh Hazlewood |
| Scott Boland |
| Josh Inglis |
Bangladesh Squad
| Player |
|---|
| Shadman Islam |
| Tanzid Hasan Tamim |
| Mominul Haque |
| Najmul Hossain Shanto |
| Mushfiqur Rahim |
| Litton Das |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz |
| Hasan Mahmud |
| Taijul Islam |
| Taskin Ahmed |
| Ebadot Hossain |
| Soumya Sarkar |
| Amite Hasan |
| Khaled Ahmed |
| Jaker Ali |
| Musfik Hasan |
| Shoriful Islam |
The latest team preview indicates Australia are expected to replace Jake Weatherald with Matthew Renshaw, while Bangladesh are likely to retain the XI that won in Darwin.
Probable Playing XI
Australia Probable XI
| No. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Travis Head |
| 2 | Matthew Renshaw |
| 3 | Marnus Labuschagne |
| 4 | Steve Smith |
| 5 | Cameron Green |
| 6 | Alex Carey (WK) |
| 7 | Beau Webster |
| 8 | Pat Cummins (C) |
| 9 | Mitchell Starc |
| 10 | Nathan Lyon |
| 11 | Josh Hazlewood |
Bangladesh Probable XI
| No. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tanzid Hasan Tamim |
| 2 | Shadman Islam |
| 3 | Mominul Haque |
| 4 | Najmul Hossain Shanto (C) |
| 5 | Mushfiqur Rahim |
| 6 | Litton Das (WK) |
| 7 | Mehidy Hasan Miraz |
| 8 | Hasan Mahmud |
| 9 | Taijul Islam |
| 10 | Taskin Ahmed |
| 11 | Ebadot Hossain |
These are the latest probable XIs based on the current team news. Bangladesh are expected to resist changes after their comprehensive Darwin victory, while Renshaw is expected to come into Australia’s XI for Weatherald.
Dream11 Prediction for Today Australia vs Bangladesh 2nd Test
| No. | Player | Team | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Carey | Australia | Wicketkeeper |
| 2 | Travis Head | Australia | Batter |
| 3 | Steve Smith | Australia | Batter |
| 4 | Cameron Green | Australia | All-rounder |
| 5 | Tanzid Hasan | Bangladesh | Batter |
| 6 | Najmul Hossain Shanto | Bangladesh | Batter |
| 7 | Mehidy Hasan Miraz | Bangladesh | All-rounder |
| 8 | Pat Cummins | Australia | Bowler/All-rounder |
| 9 | Josh Hazlewood | Australia | Bowler |
| 10 | Hasan Mahmud | Bangladesh | Bowler |
| 11 | Taskin Ahmed | Bangladesh | Bowler |
This fantasy XI is built around proven Test performers and players who were influential in the first match. Alex Carey is selected as the wicketkeeper because he provides opportunities for points through both batting and dismissals.
Travis Head is a high-upside batting selection. He struggled in Darwin but is capable of producing a rapid Test innings when conditions suit him.
Steve Smith is one of the safest Australian batting picks. He scored 71 in the first innings and 44 in the second, showing that he was able to handle Bangladesh’s bowling better than most of the Australian top order.
Cameron Green is another premium fantasy selection after his excellent 104. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball adds additional value.
For Bangladesh, Tanzid Hasan is an attractive pick after his century in Darwin. Najmul Hossain Shanto also scored 84 and remains central to Bangladesh’s batting.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz is particularly valuable because he can score runs and take wickets. His all-round contribution gives him strong fantasy potential.
Among the bowlers, Hasan Mahmud is arguably the most important selection after taking nine wickets in the first Test. Josh Hazlewood also deserves consideration after his six-wicket haul.
Pat Cummins and Taskin Ahmed complete a balanced bowling group capable of producing wicket points.
Captain: Cameron Green
Green is the preferred captain because of his all-round value. His 104 in the first Test demonstrated his current batting potential, while his ability to contribute with the ball provides additional fantasy upside.
Vice-Captain: Hasan Mahmud
Hasan Mahmud is the recommended vice-captain after his nine-wicket match haul in Darwin. His pace and accuracy make him Australia’s biggest bowling threat.
Two Players to Avoid
1. Marnus Labuschagne: He scored only 1 and 31 in the first Test and is under pressure to deliver a major innings.
2. Matthew Renshaw: He is returning to the Test side after more than three years away, making him a higher-risk fantasy selection despite his strong domestic form.
Favourite Team in Today’s Match – Australia
Australia remain our favourite despite their nine-wicket defeat in Darwin. They have the greater depth of Test experience and possess a world-class pace attack featuring Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood.
The first Test exposed serious batting problems, but Cameron Green’s 104 and Steve Smith’s two useful contributions provide evidence that Australia’s batting can recover.
Josh Hazlewood took six wickets in the first Test, while the Australian attack remains capable of dominating if the Mackay surface offers movement.
Australia have also made a clear selection response by bringing Matthew Renshaw into the squad for Jake Weatherald.
Bangladesh deserve enormous respect after their historic victory, but repeating such a complete performance against an Australia side under pressure will be difficult.
Favourite Team: Australia
Australia Test History
| Statistic | Australia |
|---|---|
| Tests Played | 883 |
| Won | 426 |
| Lost | 236 |
| Drawn | 219 |
| Tied | 2 |
Australia have one of Test cricket’s strongest historical records, with 426 victories from 883 matches according to the supplied statistics.
Bangladesh Test History
| Statistic | Bangladesh |
|---|---|
| Tests Played | 160 |
| Won | 28 |
| Lost | 113 |
| Drawn | 19 |
Bangladesh have played 160 Tests, winning 28. Their historic Darwin victory was their first Test win in Australia.
Australia vs Bangladesh Head-to-Head Stats
| Head-to-Head | Matches |
|---|---|
| Total Tests | 7 |
| Australia Won | 5 |
| Bangladesh Won | 2 |
| Draw | 0 |
Australia have won five of the seven Tests between the teams, while Bangladesh have now won two. Their latest victory in Darwin was their first Test win on Australian soil and dramatically changed the context of this series.
The historical advantage therefore remains firmly with Australia, but Bangladesh have shown that past records cannot be relied upon.
Pitch Report – Great Barrier Reef Arena
The Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay is hosting its first men’s Test match, so there is limited Test-specific history at the venue.
The tropical Queensland conditions could provide an interesting contest between pace and batting. Australia’s fast bowlers will look for movement with the new ball, while Bangladesh’s seam attack will be confident after its outstanding Darwin performance.
As the Test progresses, the surface could become slower and bring spinners such as Nathan Lyon, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam into the game.
The first innings could be important. A score around 300 or more should provide a strong platform.
Weather Report
Mackay is expected to provide warm winter conditions for the Test, with the tropical climate potentially bringing humidity and some cloud cover. The weather should generally allow extended periods of play, although showers could influence individual sessions.
Broadcast Details
The Australia vs Bangladesh second Test will be available in Australia through Channel 7, 7plus, Kayo Sports and Foxtel, with the first ball scheduled for 10:00 AM local time.
Toss Prediction
Toss Winner: Australia
Australia are predicted to win the toss. If they do, batting first could be the preferred option because posting a substantial first-innings total would put immediate pressure on Bangladesh.
Probable Batsman & Bowler
| Team | Probable Batsman | Probable Bowler |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Steve Smith | Josh Hazlewood |
| Australia | Cameron Green | Pat Cummins |
| Bangladesh | Tanzid Hasan | Hasan Mahmud |
| Bangladesh | Najmul Hossain Shanto | Mehidy Hasan Miraz |
Steve Smith is Australia’s safest batting selection after scoring 71 and 44 in Darwin. His ability to absorb pressure will be important if Bangladesh’s seamers strike early.
Cameron Green is another major batting threat after his 104. He showed excellent patience in the second innings and could be Australia’s key run-scorer again.
For Bangladesh, Tanzid Hasan arrives after a memorable 101, while Najmul Hossain Shanto made 84 and remains a crucial anchor.
With the ball, Josh Hazlewood is Australia’s leading threat after taking six wickets in the first Test. Hasan Mahmud, however, is the standout bowler overall after claiming nine wickets in the match.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz is another major threat because his all-round ability allows him to influence both innings.
Australia vs Bangladesh Winning Chances? Why & Why Not
| Team | Winning Chance | Why They Can Win | Why They Can Lose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 85% | Home conditions, world-class pace attack, experienced batting lineup | Severe batting problems in Darwin |
| Bangladesh | 15% | Historic confidence, Hasan Mahmud’s form, strong pace attack | Repeating a perfect performance is difficult |
Why Australia Can Win
Australia have experienced players across every department. Smith and Green showed they can handle Bangladesh’s bowling, while Hazlewood remains a major wicket-taking threat.
The hosts also have the motivation of avoiding a series defeat.
Why Bangladesh Can Win
Bangladesh have already defeated Australia convincingly. Hasan Mahmud took nine wickets, Tanzid scored 101 and their entire bowling unit maintained pressure.
They also now have confidence that they can win in Australian conditions.
Why Australia Can Lose
The biggest concern is batting. Their first innings of 198 exposed technical weaknesses, and several top-order players failed twice.
If Bangladesh’s seamers again take early wickets, Australia could come under pressure.
Why Bangladesh Can Lose
Australia are unlikely to repeat their first-Test batting collapse without a response. The hosts also have an elite pace attack and significantly greater experience in pressure Test situations.
Australia vs Bangladesh Match Prediction
Australia are predicted to defeat Bangladesh in the second Test at Great Barrier Reef Arena and level the series 1-1. Bangladesh produced a historic nine-wicket win in Darwin, but Australia have responded by recalling Matthew Renshaw and will be determined to improve their batting. Steve Smith, Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood are expected to lead the recovery.
Our Winner: Australia
Australia winning chances: 85%
Bangladesh winning chances: 15%
Score Prediction: Australia 295+ if batting first.
Toss Prediction: Australia.
Final Prediction: Australia to win the 2nd Test.
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
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