Australia began the second and final Test in Mackay with a blistering display of bowling, skittling Bangladesh out for a meagre 64 runs before their own batting line‑up stumbled to a modest 165‑8. The dramatic opening day, which produced a total of 18 wickets, followed a shocking nine‑wicket loss for the hosts in the opening match at Darwin, prompting a swift and decisive response from the Australian side.
Winning the toss, Australia elected to field, and fast bowler Mitchell Starc immediately set the tone. Within his first over he removed Shadman Islam, who was caught at gully for a golden duck, and proceeded to dismantle the Bangladeshi top order. By the end of his spell, Starc had claimed six wickets for just 12 runs, completing his five‑for in a mere 22 deliveries.
His victims included Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das, all of whom fell for ducks, as well as Mominul Haque, who managed only nine runs before being dismissed. Starc’s relentless accuracy and pace left Bangladesh reeling, and they were bowled out for 64 in just 34 overs.
Bangladesh’s innings was a collective collapse, with the only notable figures coming from the Australian pacemen: Starc (6‑12), Pat Cummins (3‑25) and Josh Hazlewood (1‑18) sharing the spoils. Bangladesh’s lone resistance was a brief partnership that added a few runs before the final wicket fell, leaving the visitors with a substantial lead before they even took to the crease.
When Australia’s batsmen finally walked out, the pressure to capitalize on the early advantage was evident. However, the innings quickly turned precarious.
After Starc’s six‑wicket haul, the Bangladeshi bowler Shoriful Islam, who had already taken a wicket, struck back by removing the top‑order batsman Shoriful himself for just 14 runs, and then proceeded to claim the next two wickets – Matt Renshaw (8) and Marnus Labuschagne (4) – both of whom fell for single‑figure scores. Travis Head was also bowled by Shoriful for 22, leaving Australia at a fragile 41‑3. The tide began to turn when middle‑order stalwarts Cameron Green and Steve Smith steadied the ship. Green, playing a composed innings, remained unbeaten on 51, while Smith contributed a solid 42 before being trapped leg‑before‑wicket by Shoriful, who matched Starc’s day‑long haul with six wickets of his own.
Their partnership of 77 runs, built over 112 deliveries, provided much‑needed stability, but the momentum shifted once again when Smith’s dismissal triggered a mini‑collapse. Australia lost five wickets for just 30 runs, with Nathan Lyon hanging on at the close of play on 10 not out.
The final overs of the day saw a flurry of wickets. Alex Carey added five runs before being dismissed, Beau Webster fell without scoring, and captain Pat Cummins was also out for a duck. Starc, who had been the star with the ball, contributed a solitary run before Shoriful Islam completed his maiden Test five‑for, removing Webster and Cummins in the same over and then clean‑bowling Starc with a delivery that left the crowd in awe. By stumps, Australia held a 101‑run lead, but the day also highlighted lingering concerns about their batting depth.
The early loss of three top‑order batsmen and the subsequent wobble in the middle order raised questions about the team’s ability to post competitive totals against quality opposition. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponti ng weighed in on the performance, particularly focusing on Marnus Labuschagne’s prolonged drought. Ponting told Channel 7 that while he respects the selectors’ efforts to restore Labuschagne to his best form, the player has now gone 43 Test innings without a century. He noted that Labuschagne’s technical deficiencies, especially his inability to score off the back foot, have become a liability, widening the margin for error for bowlers and making Test batting increasingly difficult.
Ponting suggested that it might be time to consider a replacement for the struggling batsman. Overall, the opening day of the Mackay Test was a roller‑coaster of extremes: a dominant Australian bowling display that reduced Bangladesh to a paltry total, followed by a shaky Australian batting effort that, despite the contributions of Green and Smith, left the team with a modest lead and a reminder that their batting frailties remain a pressing issue. The stage is now set for the second day, where Bangladesh will look to rebuild from a steep deficit, while Australia must consolidate their advantage and address the concerns raised by former greats about their batting lineup.