Channel 7 brings Australian Test cricket back this Thursday with Australia v Bangladesh – Australian Test cricket returns to Channel 7 and 7plus Sport this Thursday, with the historic Australia v Bangladesh Test Series opening in Darwin before moving to Mackay.
Coverage begins from 9.30am AEST on Thursday, 13 August, with the first Test live and free from Marrara Stadium. The series then continues at Great Barrier Reef Arena from Saturday, 22 August.
For Australian viewers, the series gives Seven an early start to a packed 2026-27 cricket run. It also gives Darwin its first Test match since 2004, while Mackay will host men’s Test cricket for the first time.
A Historic Start To The Cricket Season
Seven says the Bangladesh series begins a cricket schedule that will stretch across winter, spring, summer and autumn. The run will be bookended by this series and the 150th Anniversary Test against England at the MCG in March 2027.
Australia will enter the series with a full-strength squad, including Nathan Lyon returning from injury. Bangladesh arrives as a live World Test Championship contender, sitting fourth on the standings.
Seven’s Commentary Team
Ricky Ponting headlines Seven’s commentary team for the series, with Matthew Hayden, Greg Blewett, Simon Katich, Will Pucovski and Trent Copeland joining the Darwin coverage.
Tim Lane and Alister Nicholson will call the action in play-by-play commentary. Emma Freedman returns to host Seven’s coverage in the Top End, with Tom Morris and Bharat Sundaresan reporting on site.
For the Mackay Test, Mel McLaughlin will host the broadcast, with Ponting, Nicholson, Lane, Blewett and Katich joined by Justin Langer and Aaron Finch.
Seven Welcomes A Packed Cricket Run
Seven Network Head of Cricket Joel Starcevic said Australians are in for a packed cricket schedule across 2026 and 2027, with the biggest moments available live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.
Starcevic said the return of men’s Test cricket to Darwin and the debut of men’s Test cricket in Mackay created a real sense of occasion around the series.
He said Bangladesh will be a serious test for Australia, noting the visitors’ position on the World Test Championship standings and the confidence they bring into the series.
Seven’s Wall Of Sport
The Australia v Bangladesh Test Series continues a major sports schedule for Seven in the second half of 2026.
The network’s upcoming lineup includes the AFL Finals Series, the LA Rams v San Francisco 49ers NFL match at the MCG, the Rugby League World Cup, Test cricket against New Zealand, the Spring Racing Carnival, the Big Bash League, the Women’s Big Bash League and the Supercars Championship Bathurst 1000.
How To Watch
Test Cricket: Australia v Bangladesh begins Thursday, 13 August. Coverage is live from 9.30am AEST on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport, with coverage from 10.00am on the remaining days of the Darwin Test.
For more cricket coverage, visit TV Central’s Cricket section. Seven’s sports coverage is available through 7plus Sport.
