Australia vs Bangladesh head-to-head in Test cricket is a relatively short but increasingly competitive rivalry. Australia are one of the most successful teams in Test history, while Bangladesh have gradually established themselves as a competitive Test nation since gaining Test status in 2000. Australia vs Bangladesh Head-to-Head in Test
The two teams first met in Test cricket in 2003, when Australia hosted Bangladesh for a two-match series. Australia dominated both matches and won the series 2-0. Since then, the teams have met in several important Test series, including memorable contests in 2006, 2017 and 2026.
The latest chapter came in August 2026, when Bangladesh made history by defeating Australia by nine wickets in Darwin. Australia responded in the second Test in Mackay with an innings-and-51-run victory, leaving the two-match series tied 1-1.
Australia vs Bangladesh Test Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Tests | 8 |
| Australia Wins | 6 |
| Bangladesh Wins | 2 |
| Draws | 0 |
| First Test | 2003 |
| Latest Test | 2026 |
| Latest Series Result | 1-1 Draw |
| Bangladesh’s First Test Win | 2017 |
| Bangladesh’s First Test Win in Australia | 2026 |
Australia have won six of the eight Tests played between the teams, while Bangladesh have won two. Both of Bangladesh’s victories have been particularly memorable because they came against Australia in two different eras. Australia vs Bangladesh Head-to-Head in Test
First Test Series in 2003
Australia and Bangladesh first faced each other in Test cricket in July 2003. Bangladesh were still a developing Test nation, having played their inaugural Test against India in November 2000.
The first series consisted of two Tests, played in Darwin and Cairns. Australia won both matches by an innings. In Darwin, Australia won by an innings and 132 runs, while the second Test in Cairns ended with Australia winning by an innings and 98 runs.
Australia’s team contained several established international stars, including Steve Waugh, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist. Darren Lehmann also made a major contribution during the series.
For Bangladesh, the tour was an important learning experience. Facing Australia’s world-class pace attack and experienced batting lineup provided the young Test nation with valuable exposure to high-level red-ball cricket.
Australia Continue Their Dominance in 2006
The teams met again in 2006 when Australia toured Bangladesh for a two-Test series.
Australia won the first Test in Fatullah by three wickets after Bangladesh had put the visitors under considerable pressure. Bangladesh made 427 in their first innings, while Australia were reduced to 93 for six before Adam Gilchrist’s 144 helped them recover. Ricky Ponting then scored an unbeaten century in the fourth innings as Australia chased down 307 with three wickets remaining.
The second Test at Chattogram was much more comfortable for Australia. The visitors won by an innings and 80 runs to complete a 2-0 series sweep. Jason Gillespie produced one of the most unusual batting performances in Test history, scoring an unbeaten 201 after coming in as a nightwatchman.
Australia’s Stuart MacGill was also highly effective during the series, while Shane Warne played a major role in the second Test.
Bangladesh Make History in 2017
The 2017 series represented a major turning point in the rivalry.
Bangladesh hosted Australia for a two-Test series. In the opening Test in Mirpur, Bangladesh produced one of their most memorable Test performances by defeating Australia by 20 runs.
Shakib Al Hasan was the star of the match. Bangladesh’s spinners caused significant problems for the Australian batting lineup, while the home team successfully defended a challenging fourth-innings target.
The result gave Bangladesh their first-ever Test victory over Australia. It was an important milestone for Bangladesh cricket and demonstrated their ability to compete against a major Test nation on home soil.
Australia responded in the second Test in Chattogram. Nathan Lyon played a decisive role, taking 13 wickets in the match as Australia won by seven wickets. The result meant the two-Test series finished 1-1.
Historic Bangladesh Victory in Australia in 2026
The 2026 Test series added another historic chapter to the rivalry.
Bangladesh travelled to Australia for a two-Test ICC World Test Championship series in August 2026. The first Test was played in Darwin, where Bangladesh produced a remarkable nine-wicket victory.
Australia were bowled out for 198 in their first innings. Hasan Mahmud was outstanding with the ball, taking 6/55. Bangladesh then responded with 426, gaining a first-innings lead of 228 runs.
Tanzid Hasan made history by scoring 101, becoming the first Bangladesh batter to score a Test century in Australia. Najmul Hossain Shanto added 84, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz contributed 65.
Australia were then dismissed for 284 in their second innings. Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed five wickets, while Hasan Mahmud continued his excellent match with important wickets.
Bangladesh needed only 57 runs to win and completed the chase with nine wickets in hand. It was Bangladesh’s first Test victory on Australian soil.
Australia Fight Back in the Second Test
The second Test was played at Mackay from August 22 to 26, 2026.
Australia responded strongly after their defeat in Darwin. Their bowling attack dominated Bangladesh’s batting, and Mitchell Starc produced a sensational performance.
Bangladesh were bowled out for just 64 in their first innings. Starc claimed 6/12, one of the outstanding bowling performances of the series.
Australia then built a commanding position and eventually won the match by an innings and 51 runs. Starc finished with 10 wickets in the match, taking 6/12 in the first innings and 4/39 in the second.
His performance also helped him reach No. 1 in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings for the first time in his career.
Australia’s victory meant the 2026 series ended 1-1.
Key Players in Australia vs Bangladesh Tests
Steve Smith
Steve Smith has been one of Australia’s most important Test batters during the modern era. He remained a key member of Australia’s batting lineup during the 2026 series and scored 71 and 44 in the first Test in Darwin.
Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon has played an important role whenever Australia have faced Bangladesh. His ability to extract turn and bounce makes him a significant threat against Bangladesh’s batters.
In the second Test of the 2017 series, Lyon took 13 wickets to help Australia level the series.
Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib was central to Bangladesh’s historic 2017 victory. His all-round ability was particularly valuable in conditions that assisted spin bowling.
Hasan Mahmud
Hasan Mahmud became one of the standout performers of the 2026 series. His 6/55 in Darwin helped Bangladesh restrict Australia to 198, while his overall contribution played a major role in Bangladesh’s historic victory.
Tanzid Hasan
Tanzid Hasan made history in the first Test of the 2026 series by scoring 101 in Darwin. He became the first Bangladesh player to score a Test century in Australia.
Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc was Australia’s standout performer in the second Test of the 2026 series. His 10-wicket match haul helped Australia secure an innings-and-51-run victory.
Bangladesh’s Progress Against Australia
The overall head-to-head record remains in Australia’s favour, but Bangladesh’s results show significant progress.
In 2003 and 2006, Australia dominated their encounters. Bangladesh then recorded their first victory in 2017. Nearly a decade later, they produced an even more significant result by defeating Australia in Australia in 2026.
The Darwin victory was particularly important because Bangladesh had to adapt to Australian conditions, including additional bounce and pace. Before the series, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto highlighted the team’s preparation for Australia’s bouncy pitches.
The 2026 series therefore demonstrated that Bangladesh can compete successfully against Australia away from home while also showing Australia’s ability to respond after a setback.
Australia vs Bangladesh Test Head-to-Head Summary
The history of Australia vs Bangladesh in Test cricket can be summarized through four major periods:
- 2003: Australia won the two-Test series 2-0.
- 2006: Australia won the two-Test series 2-0.
- 2017: Bangladesh won the first Test, Australia won the second, and the series finished 1-1.
- 2026: Bangladesh won the first Test in Darwin, while Australia won the second Test in Mackay, resulting in another 1-1 series draw.
Across all eight Tests, Australia have won six and Bangladesh have won two. There have been no drawn individual Tests between the teams. The two 1-1 series results came because each team won one Test.
Conclusion
The Australia vs Bangladesh Test head-to-head record remains heavily in Australia’s favour, with Australia winning six of the eight Tests and Bangladesh winning two.
However, Bangladesh’s two victories have become important landmarks in their Test cricket history. Their 20-run victory in Mirpur in 2017 was their first Test win over Australia, while their nine-wicket victory in Darwin in 2026 was their first Test victory on Australian soil.
The 2026 series also demonstrated the changing nature of the rivalry. Bangladesh won the opening Test through outstanding pace bowling, disciplined batting and effective spin, while Australia responded emphatically in Mackay through Mitchell Starc and a dominant bowling performance.
With both teams continuing to compete in the ICC World Test Championship, future Australia-Bangladesh Test matches could provide further memorable chapters in this developing rivalry.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many Test matches have Australia and Bangladesh played?
Australia and Bangladesh have played 8 Test matches against each other through the end of the 2026 Test series.
2. How many Tests has Australia won against Bangladesh?
Australia have won 6 of the 8 Tests played against Bangladesh.
3. How many Tests has Bangladesh won against Australia?
Bangladesh have won 2 Tests against Australia. Their victories came in 2017 in Mirpur and 2026 in Darwin.
4. When did Bangladesh first beat Australia in Test cricket?
Bangladesh recorded their first Test victory over Australia in August 2017, winning the opening Test in Mirpur by 20 runs.
5. What was the result of the Australia vs Bangladesh Test series in 2026?
The 2026 two-Test series ended 1-1. Bangladesh won the first Test in Darwin by nine wickets, while Australia won the second Test in Mackay by an innings and 51 runs.