Australia opened the second and final Test in Mackay with a spectacular display of pace, skittling Bangladesh for a meagre 64 runs, only to stumble themselves later in the day, finishing their first innings at 165 for eight wickets. The match proved to be a roller‑coaster, delivering 18 wickets on the opening day and setting the stage for a dramatic series after the hosts suffered a shocking nine‑wicket loss in the opening game at Darwin. The dramatic turn began when the Australian captain won the toss and elected to field first. Mitchell Starc, fresh off a string of successful spells, ripped through the Bangladeshi top order with a blistering spell that saw him claim six wickets for just 12 runs.
Within the first two overs, Starc had already removed Shadman Islam for a duck, catching him at gully on the very first ball of the innings. He then proceeded to dismantle the middle order, dismissing Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das without allowing any of them to settle. The final blow came when Starc trapped Mominul Haque, who managed a solitary nine runs, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 12 for five. Bangladesh’s collapse continued as Starc completed his five‑wicket haul in a record‑quick 22 deliveries, a feat rarely seen in Test cricket.
He was supported by fellow paceman Pat Cummins, who added three wickets for 25 runs, and the experienced Josh Hazlewood, who claimed one wicket for 18 runs. The only bright spot for Bangladesh was the lone resistance from Shoriful Islam, who managed to take a wicket himself but could not prevent the innings from ending at 64 all out after 34 overs.
When Australia took to the crease, the mood shifted dramatically. Early wickets fell quickly; the recalled Matt Renshaw was dismissed for eight, and Marnus Labuschagne, who has struggled for form throughout the season, fell for four. Travis Head also fell cheaply, bowled by Shoriful Islam for 22. At 41 for three, the Australian innings appeared to be in danger of a repeat of the earlier collapse.
However, the partnership between Cameron Green and Steve Smith steadied the ship. Green, playing an aggressive yet controlled innings, reached an unbeaten 51, while Smith contributed a solid 42 before falling to an LBW decision at the hands of Shoriful Islam.
This partnership added 77 runs off 112 deliveries, providing a much‑needed platform for the team. Yet the day’s drama was far from over.
After Smith’s dismissal, Bangladesh’s left‑arm fast bowler Shoriful Islam, who had already taken six wickets, sparked another mini‑collapse, taking the next two wickets in quick succession and leaving Australia at 5 for 30. Nathan Lyon, the veteran off‑spinner, managed to cling to the crease, adding a modest ten runs before stumps. The final overs of the day saw Alex Carey, Beau Webster, captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc contribute a combined six runs, underscoring the difficulty the Australian batsmen faced against a disciplined Bangladeshi attack.
Shoriful Islam capped his day with a maiden Test five‑for, finishing with figures of six for 35, and even managed to dismiss Starc with a superb delivery, highlighting his all‑round impact. At the close of day one, Australia held a 101‑run lead, a comfortable margin on paper but one that masked underlying concerns about the consistency of their batting line‑up. The performance prompted former Australian captain Ricky Ponti ng to weigh in on the situation, particularly regarding Marnus Labuschagne, who has now endured 43 innings without reaching a Test century. Ponting suggested that the selectors might need to consider a change, noting that Labuschagne’s technical deficiencies have become more pronounced and that his inability to score off the back foot is limiting his effectiveness in the longer format.
The day’s events highlighted both the potency of Australia’s pace attack and the fragility of their batting order. While Starc’s six‑wicket haul will be remembered as a highlight, the need for a more reliable middle order remains evident. As the teams head into day two, Bangladesh will be looking to bounce back from their early collapse, while Australia will aim to convert their lead into a commanding position, hoping that Green and Smith can provide the stability required to avoid further collapses. The series, already marked by an unexpected result in Darwin, promises more intrigue as both sides adjust their strategies and personnel for the remainder of the match.