Australia quickly recovered from the surprise defeat they suffered in the opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, delivering a powerful innings victory in just two days at Mackay that leveled the two‑match series at one win apiece. The Australian bowlers were the decisive factor, with Mitchell Starc leading the charge by taking four wickets for 39 runs in the second innings and ending the match with a remarkable combined figure of ten wickets for 51 runs. Bangladesh were dismissed for fewer than a hundred runs for the second time in the encounter, underscoring the potency of the Australian attack. Pat Cummins added three wickets for just ten runs, while veteran off‑spinner Nathan Lyon contributed three for 25, helping to wrap up Bangladesh’s second‑innings total of 95 in 38.3 overs before the tea break on day two.
The earlier innings saw Bangladesh bowled out for a paltry 64 in 34 overs, with Starc producing an astonishing 6‑12, Cummins chipping in with 3‑25 and Josh Hazlewood taking 1‑18. Shoriful Islam was the lone Bangladeshi bowler to claim a wicket in that spell, finishing with figures of 14 runs conceded. Australia’s reply in the first innings yielded 210 runs in 52.3 overs.
Cameron Green top‑scored with a fluent 67, complemented by a solid 42 from Steve Smith and a useful 32 not out from Nathan Lyon. For Bangladesh, Shoriful Islam took 7‑48, marking the best innings return by a Bangladeshi bowler on foreign soil, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed each chipped in with a wicket.
In the second innings, Bangladesh’s batting collapsed again. Opening with Najmul Hossain Shanto, who managed 31, the team slumped to 39‑3 by lunch and continued to tumble, reaching 95‑8 at tea. Starc, who had already stunned the hosts with his 6‑12 in the first innings, struck again with 4‑39, dismissing key players including Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Litton Das and Taijul Islam. His performance cemented his status as the match’s leading destroyer with the ball.
Starc was named Player of the Match and reflected on the turnaround, noting, "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 wicket conditions." Despite the emphatic win, concerns linger regarding Australia’s batting depth as they prepare for a three‑Test series against the reigning World Test Championship champions, South Africa, slated to begin in October.
The scorecard highlighted the stark contrast between the two sides. Bangladesh’s first‑innings total of 64 all out was a record low, while Australia’s 210, though modest, proved sufficient to enforce an innings‑and‑51‑run victory. The match also saw Starc climb the all‑time wicket‑takers list, moving into tenth place with 445 dismissals, just four behind Nathan Lyon. Lyon, meanwhile, played a pivotal role, taking the crucial wicket of Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for 31 and then claiming the final two wickets in quick succession after tea, sealing the win for the Australians.
He joked about Starc’s ascent, saying, "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," a comment that highlighted the friendly rivalry between the two leading bowlers. The victory, while dominant, also raised strategic questions for the Australian camp. Their batting line‑up, which produced only one half‑century from Green, will need to find greater consistency before facing South Africa’s potent attack.
Nonetheless, the bowlers’ performance provided a blueprint for success: aggressive, accurate pace complemented by incisive spin. If Australia can replicate that blend, they will be well‑positioned to challenge the world champions later in the season.
Overall, the Mackay Test showcased the resilience of the Australian side, their ability to bounce back from an early setback, and the sheer impact a world‑class bowler like Mitchell Starc can have on a match. The series now stands level, setting the stage for an intriguing conclusion in the final Test, while also offering a preview of the challenges awaiting the Australians on their forthcoming South African tour.