Australian cricket is about to embark on a defining 12 months that could shape the Test side for years to come.
It starts against Bangladesh in Darwin before Pat Cummins’ side heads to South Africa for one of Test cricket’s traditionally toughest assignments.
Then comes a four-Test home series against New Zealand before the calendar turns to 2027 and the challenge ramps up even further – with a tour of India followed by the historic 150th anniversary Test against England.
Watch every ball of Australia vs Bangladesh Test Series live and ad-break free during play with Fox Cricket on Kayo | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
And while Australia will be chasing victories throughout, some even bigger questions are looming over this ageing side.
From the battle between Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland and whether Cameron Green and Beau Webster can continue to coexist, to conquering India’s “final frontier” and the prospect of several Australian greats nearing the end, the next 12 months could prove defining for both this generation and the one that follows.
Here are the biggest talking points facing Australia over a massive 12 months of Test cricket.
ARE SOUTH AFRICA AND INDIA STILL THE TOUGHEST TOURS?
They might be the reigning World Test Champions, but South Africa are far from impregnable on their own shores.
A lack of matches – last summer saw the Proteas play no Tests at home, with the SA20 tournament taking precedence – saw them rack up wins from limited opportunities to give themselves the chance of stunning Australia at Lord’s in 2025.
But their last home Test against an opponent of merit, in early 2024, saw them routed for 55 before losing by seven wickets in a match that lasted less than two days.
Despite their WTC final heroics, the likes of Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder don’t strike fear into the hearts quite like their predecessors Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, Faf du Plessis and co.
It’s the same in India, where a decade-long stranglehold over visiting teams was first shattered by a touring New Zealand in 2024, before being blown to smithereens by the Proteas themselves last year.
While Australia remains steadfast in backing in their senior core, this is an Indian team in transition.
Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Rohit Sharma’s swansong came in the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, while Ravindra Jadeja is past his best with the ball.
