Starc's 10-wicket haul powers Australia to a massive innings win
Bangladesh bowled out for 64 and 95 in a forgettable Test
Australia bounce back from first-Test shock to level series 1-1
Australia produced a ruthless response to their shock defeat in Darwin, crushing Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs in the second Test at Mackay to level the two-match series 1-1. The match was wrapped up inside two days, with Mitchell Starc leading the home side’s bowling assault through a magnificent 10-wicket match haul.
Having suffered a historic nine-wicket defeat in the first Test, Australia came out firing after opting to bowl. Starc struck with the very first ball of the match and ripped through Bangladesh’s batting lineup in a sensational spell.
The left-arm quick finished with 6/12 as Bangladesh were bundled out for just 64 in 34 overs. Four Bangladesh batters failed to score as the visitors collapsed under relentless pressure from Australia’s pace attack.
Bangladesh, however, hit back strongly with the ball. Shoriful Islam produced a career-best performance, taking 7/48 and reducing Australia’s batting order to another collapse.
Steve Smith made 42, while Cameron Green once again showed his growing confidence after his century in the first Test. Green remained unbeaten on 51 at the end of Day 1 and went on to top-score with 67 as Australia eventually posted 210. Crucially, the hosts secured a first-innings lead of 146 runs.
With a substantial deficit already staring at them, Bangladesh needed a vastly improved batting effort in their second innings. Instead, Starc and Australia’s bowlers continued to dominate. Starc added another four wickets to complete his fourth 10-wicket haul in Test cricket, finishing with match figures of 10/51. Captain Pat Cummins claimed 3/10, while Nathan Lyon picked up 3/25.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto offered some resistance with 31, while Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 29, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled once again. Bangladesh were eventually dismissed for 95, handing Australia a commanding innings victory.
The result marked a remarkable turnaround for Pat Cummins’ side after their humiliation in the series opener. Bangladesh had created history with their first-ever Test win in Australia in Darwin, but the hosts responded in brutal fashion in Mackay, wrapping up the contest in just five completed sessions. The emphatic win ensured the series ended level at 1-1, with Starc deservedly emerging as the central figure in Australia’s dominant comeback.
