Starc stars as Australia crush Bangladesh to level Test series 1-1

MACKAY:  Australia bounced back from their historic defeat in Darwin with a dominant innings-and-51-run victory over Bangladesh in the second Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena on Sunday, levelling the two-match series 1-1.

The hosts completed the victory inside two days after dismissing Bangladesh for 95 in their second innings, having earlier bowled them out for just 64. Australia had posted 210 in reply, giving them a first-innings lead of 146 runs.

The result came just a week after Bangladesh stunned Australia with a nine-wicket victory in Darwin — their first Test win on Australian soil — and denied the visitors the chance to claim a historic series victory.

Mitchell Starc was the architect of Australia’s emphatic response, finishing with 10 wickets in the match after producing a devastating 6-12 in Bangladesh’s first innings and taking another four wickets in the second.

Starc tears through Bangladesh

Australia won the toss and opted to bowl first, and Starc immediately justified captain Pat Cummins’ decision.

The left-arm quick removed Shadman Islam with the opening delivery of the match before tearing through Bangladesh’s top order. He finished with 6-12 from 10 overs, including six maidens, as Bangladesh were dismissed for only 64 in 34 overs.

Starc’s opening-ball wicket was the fourth time he had taken a wicket with the first delivery of a Test match. He also moved into the top 10 of the all-time Test wicket-takers, surpassing Dale Steyn’s tally during the opening-day assault.

Pat Cummins supported Starc superbly with three wickets, while Josh Hazlewood claimed one as Bangladesh’s batting order collapsed rapidly.

The visitors were reduced to 9-3 at one stage, with four of their batsmen eventually dismissed without scoring.

Shoriful provides Bangladesh with hope

Australia appeared vulnerable when they began their reply, however, as Bangladesh fast bowler Shoriful Islam produced an outstanding spell of his own.

Shoriful, recalled to the side after missing the first Test, claimed six wickets on the opening day and eventually finished with career-best figures of 7-48.

He dismissed Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith among others as Australia’s top order struggled against the left-arm pace.

Australia ended the first day on 165-8, only 101 runs ahead of Bangladesh, raising the possibility that the match could become another low-scoring contest.

But Cameron Green held the innings together.

Green’s 67 gives Australia crucial lead

Green resumed Australia’s innings on Sunday and added to his overnight score before being dismissed for 67.

His innings proved decisive, allowing Australia to reach 210 and secure a substantial 146-run first-innings advantage despite another uncertain batting performance from the hosts. Steve Smith contributed 42, while Nathan Lyon made a valuable unbeaten 32.

Shoriful’s 7-48 was a remarkable achievement for Bangladesh. It was reported as the best innings haul by a Bangladesh bowler in an away Test, but his effort ultimately could not prevent Australia from taking control of the match.

Bangladesh collapse again

Needing to erase a 146-run deficit simply to make Australia bat again, Bangladesh’s second innings got off to another disastrous start.

Starc struck twice in the third over, removing Shadman Islam for one before bowling Mominul Haque for a duck with the next delivery.

Cummins then dismissed Tanzid Hasan for nine, leaving Bangladesh 39-3 at lunch and still 107 runs behind.

The collapse continued after lunch.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto offered some resistance with 31, while Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored with an unbeaten 29. But Bangladesh were unable to build a meaningful partnership as Australia’s fast bowlers repeatedly exposed the fragility of the batting line-up.

Starc finished with 4-39 in the second innings, giving him match figures of 10 wickets. Cummins took 3-10, while Nathan Lyon claimed three wickets as Bangladesh were bowled out for 95.

Australia recover from historic defeat

The emphatic victory completed a remarkable turnaround for Australia.

Bangladesh had entered the second Test with a 1-0 lead after beating Australia by nine wickets in Darwin. That victory was Bangladesh’s first Test win in Australia and had placed the visitors within reach of a historic series triumph.

Australia responded by making significant use of their pace attack in Mackay. The first day alone produced 18 wickets, with Starc and Shoriful each taking six wickets and both teams struggling to cope with the movement and bounce on offer.

The match ultimately became Australia’s first Test victory over Bangladesh in the series and ensured the teams shared the honours 1-1.

For Bangladesh, the defeat ended hopes of securing their first-ever Test series win in Australia. For Australia, it provided a much-needed response after one of the most significant home defeats in their Test history.

Starc’s 10-wicket match haul and Australia’s ruthless use of their pace attack proved the difference as the hosts turned a potentially embarrassing series defeat into a drawn series.