Mitchell Starc produced a devastating display of fast bowling as Australia crushed Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs in the second Test at Mackay. The victory came inside two days, with Starc taking 10 wickets as Australia bounced back from their defeat in Darwin to level the two-match series 1-1.
Mitchell Starc tears through Bangladesh twice
The match belonged to Starc from the moment he took the new ball. The left-arm quick found movement, pace and relentless accuracy on a surface that offered plenty of assistance to fast bowlers. Bangladesh had no answer to his spell in the first innings and were dismissed for just 64. Starc finished with remarkable figures of 6/12, repeatedly beating the bat and exposing the visitors’ technical shortcomings.
The veteran pacer was just as effective when Bangladesh batted again. He returned to claim 4/39, completing a stunning 10-wicket match haul. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award and underlined why he remains one of Australia’s most dangerous weapons with the red ball.
Shoriful Islam produces a record-breaking spell
Bangladesh may have been outplayed, but Shoriful Islam gave their supporters something to celebrate with a sensational individual performance. With Australia chasing a sizeable first-innings lead, Shoriful ripped through the home batting order. The left-arm seamer claimed a career-best 7/48, becoming the first Bangladeshi fast bowler to record seven wickets in a Test innings.
His spell prevented Australia from building an even bigger advantage and briefly raised hopes of an unlikely fightback. However, Shoriful received little support from the other end as Australia eventually reached 210. Cameron Green once again played an important role with the bat, scoring a composed 67. After making a century in the opening Test, Green showed impressive patience against Bangladesh’s spirited attack. Nathan Lyon then added valuable runs with an unbeaten 32, helping Australia establish a 146-run first-innings lead.
Australia finish the job in ruthless fashion
Bangladesh needed something extraordinary in their second innings, but Australia’s attack quickly extinguished any hopes of a comeback. Najmul Hossain Shanto offered some resistance with a fighting 31, yet wickets continued to fall around him. Pat Cummins joined the party with an economical 3/10, while Lyon extracted enough assistance from the deteriorating surface to finish with 3/25.
Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 95, leaving Australia with a dominant innings-and-51-run victory. The result not only levelled the series but also provided a strong response to Australia’s setback in Darwin. For Bangladesh, Shoriful’s historic effort was a rare bright spot in a match otherwise dominated by Starc and the Australian bowling attack.
