Australia swiftly answered the surprise defeat they suffered in the opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin by delivering a crushing innings victory in Mackay, thereby equalising the two‑match series at one win apiece. The Australian bowlers were the main architects of this turnaround, with Mitchell Starc producing a spellbinding performance that saw him finish the match with figures of 10 wickets for 51 runs.
In the second innings, Bangladesh were bundled out for just 95 runs, marking the second occasion in the match that they failed to reach the three‑figure mark. Starc’s brilliance was complemented by fellow paceman Pat Cummins, who claimed three wickets for just ten runs, and the off‑spinner Nathan Lyon, who added another three‑for‑25.
Their combined effort skittled Bangladesh out for 95 in 38.3 overs before the tea break on day two, sealing an innings‑and‑51‑run triumph for the visitors. The first innings saw Bangladesh tumble to 64 all out in 34 overs after being sent in to bat. Starc ripped through the top order with figures of 6‑12, while Cummins added 3‑25 and Josh Hazlewood chipped in with 1‑18. Bangladesh’s lone resistance came from Shoriful Islam, who managed 14 runs before being dismissed.
In response, Australia posted a modest total of 210, with Cameron Green top‑scoring with 67, supported by Steve Smith’s 42 and Nathan Lyon’s unbeaten 32. Bangladesh’s bowlers managed to claim a few wickets, most notably Shoriful Islam, who took 7‑48 – the best innings haul by a Bangladeshi bowler in an overseas Test – while Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam also chipped in. In the second innings, Bangladesh’s batting collapsed dramatically.
Najmul Hossain Shanto offered a brief flicker of resistance with 31 runs, and Mushfiqur Rahim contributed an unbeaten 29, but the rest of the line‑up crumbled under relentless pressure. Starc, who had already stunned the opposition with a 6‑12 haul in the first innings, added another 4‑39, while Cummins and Lyon each took three wickets.
By tea, Bangladesh were 95‑8, well short of the target needed to force a follow‑on. Starc, who was named Player of the Match, reflected on the turnaround, saying, “Much better week.
We knew we weren’t at our best in Darwin, but this week we delivered what we expect of ourselves, especially with the ball and the helpful conditions.” His comments underscored the team’s belief that the earlier loss was an aberration rather than a sign of deeper issues. Despite the emphatic win, questions linger about Australia’s batting depth as they prepare for a three‑Test series against the reigning World Test Championship champions, South Africa, scheduled to begin in October. While the bowlers have clearly shown they can dominate, the top order’s inability to post a more commanding total than 210 may be a cause for concern when facing a side of South Africa’s calibre.
The scorecard of the match reads as follows: - Bangladesh 1st innings: 64 all out (34 overs) – Starc 6‑12, Cummins 3‑25, Hazlewood 1‑18. - Australia 1st innings: 210 all out (52.3 overs) – Green 67, Smith 42, Lyon 32*. - Bangladesh 2nd innings: 95 all out (38.3 overs) – Starc 4‑39, Cummins 3‑10, Lyon 3‑25. Starc’s achievement also saw him climb the all‑time wickets list, moving into tenth place with 445 Test dismissals, just four behind Nathan Lyon.
When asked about his new position, Starc quipped with a grin, “Nathan didn’t remind me that I’ve just stepped on the first rung of the ladder and he’s still up there looking down on me.” Lyon’s contribution was equally vital, especially his dismissal of Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for 31 and his rapid double‑wicket burst after tea, which wrapped up the match. The combination of pace and spin proved too much for the Bangladeshi side, whose batting line‑up never managed to settle, succumbing to disciplined line‑and‑length bowling and sharp fielding. Overall, the match showcased Australia’s ability to bounce back from adversity, with their bowlers delivering a masterclass in Test cricket. The series now stands level, setting up a tantalising finale in the third Test, while the Australian camp will be keen to fine‑tune their batting before the upcoming South African tour, hoping to replicate the same dominance with both bat and ball.