Mitchell Starc claimed 6/12 as Bangladesh were bowled out for just 64
He struck with the first ball and completed his five-wicket haul in just 22 deliveries
Australia made a stunning comeback after their nine-wicket defeat in the first Test
Mitchell Starc delivered a devastating spell of fast bowling in Mackay on Saturday, August 22, ripping apart Bangladesh’s batting lineup and putting Australia in complete command of the second Test.
The left-arm pacer struck with the opening delivery at the Great Barrier Reef Arena and never let Bangladesh settle, claiming five wickets in just 22 balls as the visitors crashed to 29/5. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for a mere 64 in 34 overs.
Australia had been under pressure to respond after their nine-wicket defeat in the opening Test in Darwin. After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, captain Pat Cummins got the early movement he had hoped for, with Starc exploiting the conditions brilliantly.
Shadman Islam was the first to go, edging Starc's opening ball to gully for a duck. It marked the fourth time Starc had taken a wicket with the first ball of a Test.
Tanzid Hasan, the centurion from Bangladesh's memorable victory in Darwin, lasted only a handful of deliveries before also falling without scoring. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto then followed for a duck, leaving Bangladesh three down after just eight balls.
Mominul Haque attempted to steady the innings and initially provided Bangladesh with some resistance. Starc, however, returned to remove him for his fourth wicket, with Nathan Green holding a sharp catch.
Litton Das became the final victim of Starc's opening burst, trapped lbw to complete a remarkable five-wicket haul. Four of the five batters dismissed by Starc had failed to score, leaving Bangladesh in severe trouble at 29/5.
Starc ended the first session with astonishing figures of 5/11 from nine overs. Cummins then added to Bangladesh's misery by bowling Mushfiqur Rahim, reducing the visitors to 35/6 at lunch.
The five-for also placed Starc among the fastest bowlers to reach the landmark in Test cricket. His 22-ball haul is one of the quickest in the format's history. Starc himself holds the record, having taken five wickets in only 15 balls against the West Indies in 2025.
Ernie Toshack, Stuart Broad and Scott Boland have each taken five wickets in 19 balls, while Shane Watson achieved the feat in 21 deliveries against South Africa in 2011.
Starc's haul also saw him move past South African legend Dale Steyn in the all-time Test wicket-takers' list.
The Australian later revealed that frustration from the first Test defeat had helped fuel his sensational start.
“Six in the first session, can't beat that,” Starc told his wife, former Australia captain and broadcaster Alyssa Healy as he left the field.
“Obviously a little bit of anger. It's worked well so far, hopefully we can keep it up,” he added.
After being beaten comprehensively in Darwin, Australia could hardly have asked for a better response, with Starc's extraordinary spell leaving Bangladesh staring at a heavy defeat in the second Test.
