Mitchell Starc dismissed Shadman Islam with the very first ball of the match
Starc dominated the opening session to finish with exceptional figures of 6-12.
Bangladesh fast bowler Shoriful Islam matched Starc's feat by taking 6-35
Eighteen wickets fell on a chaotic opening day. Mitchell Starc grabbed six first-innings wickets under clear skies at the Great Barrier Reef Arena. The coastal Queensland venue, situated 800 kilometres north of Brisbane, hosted a dramatic start to the second Test.
Shoriful Islam matched Starc with six wickets. The left-arm pacer missed the series opener with a side strain but returned to take 6-35. His efforts left Australia at 165-8 at stumps, a lead of 101 runs. Cameron Green remained unbeaten on 51 with Nathan Lyon on 10.
Starc Dominates Opening Session
Australia won the toss and chose to bowl, relying on early pitch moisture.
"The wicket looks pretty good, but if there is any moisture in it, it might be this morning," Australia captain Pat Cummins said.
Starc struck with his very first delivery. Shadman Islam chipped a leading edge to gully, handing the bowler a record fourth career wicket on the opening ball of a match. He then dismissed Tanzid Hasan and trapped captain Najmul Hossain Shanto lbw in the third over.
Cameron Green then took a low, grass-skimming catch to dismiss Mominul Haque for nine. Haque was the sole top-four Bangladesh batter to score a run. Starc later trapped Litton Das lbw for his fifth wicket, before claiming his sixth scalp after the lunch break.
Starc ended with 6-12 from 10 overs. Pat Cummins took three wickets as Bangladesh collapsed to 64 all out shortly after lunch.
Batting remained difficult long after the morning session. Not since South Africa made 36 in 1932 has a team batting first in Australia scored so few runs. Shoriful Islam top-scored with 14 from the No. 11 position.
"Six (wickets) in the first session, can't beat that," Starc said to his wife, television commentator and former Australia captain Alyssa Healy, as he departed the field for the lunch break. "Obviously a little bit of anger."
Shoriful Leads Bangladesh Fightback
Shoriful Islam struck back with the ball to rattle the hosts. He took 6-35, restricting Australia to 165-8 by stumps.
Selectors made only one change. Matt Renshaw returned to the 13-man group selected earlier this week, replacing the omitted Jake Weatherald. The recalled opener managed only eight runs before falling early in the innings.
The visitors shocked Australia in the opener. That unexpected victory sparked demands for a squad overhaul. However, selectors retained the older players despite the team being thoroughly outclassed during their previous match in Darwin. There, players like Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan excelled in the tropical climate.
The two-Test "Top End" series starts a heavy 12-month schedule for Australia. The programme features 20 Test matches, including upcoming tours to South Africa, India and England.
