Australia quickly erased the sting of their unexpected opening defeat to Bangladesh in Darwin by delivering a crushing innings victory in Mackay, leveling the two‑match Test series at one win apiece. The Australian bowlers were the main architects of the triumph, with Mitchell Starc leading the charge.
Starc ripped through the Bangladeshi line‑up, taking four wickets for 39 runs in the second innings and finishing the match with an impressive ten‑for‑51 across both innings. His spell helped bowl Bangladesh out for less than 100 runs for the second time in the game. Pat Cummins also made a decisive impact, claiming three wickets for just ten runs, while veteran spinner Nathan Lyon added another three‑for‑25. Bangladesh’s second‑innings total of 95, captured in 38.3 overs before the tea break on day two, reflected the relentless pressure applied by the Australian attack.
The match began with Bangladesh’s first innings collapsing to 64 all out in 34 overs. Starc was the standout bowler, delivering a remarkable six‑for‑12, while Cummins contributed three wickets and Josh Hazlewood added one. Only Shoriful Islam managed to claim a solitary wicket for the hosts. In response, Australia posted a modest 210 runs in 52.3 overs.
Cameron Green was the top scorer with a fluent 67, supported by Steve Smith’s 42 and Nathan Lyon’s unbeaten 32. Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Shoriful Islam’s 7‑48 – the best innings figures by a Bangladeshi bowler on foreign soil – managed to keep the Australian total under pressure, but the deficit proved too great.
Facing a target of 146 to force Bangladesh to bat again, the visitors stumbled early, sliding to 39‑3 by the lunch interval and then crumbling further in the afternoon session, ending the day at 95‑8. Starc, who had already stunned the opposition with his six‑for‑12 in the first innings, returned to claim four more wickets, including the early dismissal of opener Shadman Islam for a single run and the quick removal of Mominul Haque for a duck. He also trapped wicket‑keeper Litton Das for a second consecutive duck and bowled tail‑ender Taijul Islam for 11. Starc’s performance not only secured the match but also propelled him up the all‑time Test wicket‑taking ladder.
With his 445th Test dismissal, he moved into tenth place on the list, narrowing the gap to Nathan Lyon, who sits just four spots ahead. After the game, a smiling Starc reflected on the turnaround, noting, "Much better week. We knew we weren’t at our best in Darwin, but this week we showed what we expect of ourselves, especially with the ball and the helpful wicket conditions." 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. The Mackay match highlighted that while the bowlers can dominate, the batting line‑up still relies heavily on a few key contributors.
Cameron Green’s 67 was the lone half‑century for Australia, and the rest of the order struggled to build substantial partnerships. The match’s scorecard tells the story of a game dominated by bowling. Bangladesh’s first‑innings total of 64 was a stark reminder of the potency of Starc’s swing and seam, while the 95 they managed in the second innings underscored the relentless pressure applied by the Australian pacemen and spinners. For Bangladesh, Shoriful Islam’s 7‑48 remains a personal milestone, yet the team’s inability to post competitive totals ultimately cost them the series.
Looking ahead, the Australian team will need to address the inconsistencies exposed in Darwin and Mackay. The batting unit must find ways to convert starts into bigger scores, especially against high‑quality opposition like South Africa, whose own bowling attack is renowned for its pace and spin options. Meanwhile, the bowlers can take confidence from the Mackay performance, where they demonstrated the ability to dismantle a side twice in a single match.
In summary, Australia’s innings‑and‑51‑run victory in Mackay not only leveled the series but also showcased the lethal combination of Starc’s left‑arm pace, Cummins’ accuracy, and Lyon’s spin craft. The win provided a morale boost after the shock defeat in Darwin, yet it also highlighted the need for a more robust batting display as the team looks forward to the upcoming challenges on the international calendar.