Australia swiftly answered the surprise defeat they suffered in the opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin by delivering a dominant innings win in just two days at Mackay, thereby equalising the two‑match series at one win apiece. The Australian bowlers ran through the Bangladeshi line‑up with relentless pace and spin, while the batsmen posted a modest but sufficient total that proved enough to secure an innings‑and‑51‑run triumph. In the first innings Bangladesh were bundled out for a paltry 64 runs in just 34 overs. Mitchell Starc ripped through the top order, claiming six wickets for only twelve runs, a spell that left the opposition reeling.
Fellow fast bowler Pat Cummins added three wickets for 25 runs, and Josh Hazlewood contributed a wicket as well. Only Shoriful Islam managed to stay unbeaten with 14 runs, but his efforts were insufficient to avert the collapse. Australia’s reply was more measured.
Opening the batting, Cameron Green anchored the innings with a fluent 67, while veteran Steve Smith contributed a steady 42. Nathan Lyon, batting at number eight, added a useful 32 not out, helping Australia reach 210 for the loss of eight wickets after 52.3 overs.
Bangladesh’s bowlers managed to take a few wickets – Shoriful Islam finished with figures of 7‑48, a remarkable haul that stands as the best innings return by a Bangladeshi bowler in an overseas Test – but the total was more than enough to put pressure back on the visitors. Facing a target of 146 to force Bangladesh to bat again, the hosts stumbled early. By the lunch break they were 39 for three, and the middle session saw a further tumble, leaving them precariously placed at 95 for eight when tea was called.
Starc, who had already stunned the opposition with a six‑for‑12 spell in the first innings, continued his dominance by taking four wickets for 39 runs in the second innings. Pat Cummins added three for ten, and Nathan Lyon chipped in with three for 25, completing a comprehensive bowling performance that wrapped up the match. Key dismissals in the second innings included Shadman Islam, who was caught for a single, and Mominul Haque, who fell for a duck in Starc’s second over.
Litton Das also fell for a duck, caught in the slips, and tail‑ender Taijul Islam was bowled for 11. The Bangladeshi captain Najmul Hossain Shanto managed a fighting 31, while Mushfiqur Rahim contributed a resilient 29 not out, but the damage had already been done. Starc’s match figures of 10 wickets for 51 runs elevated him to tenth place on the all‑time Test wicket‑takers list with 445 dismissals, just four behind his compatriot Nathan Lyon.
After the game, the 36‑year‑old was named Player of the Match and reflected on the turnaround: "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." While the victory was emphatic, it did little to silence lingering doubts about Australia’s batting depth ahead of their upcoming three‑Test tour of South Africa, the reigning World Test Championship holders, scheduled to begin in October. The series will present a stern test for the Australian top order, which managed only one half‑century in Mackay. Green’s 67 remains the sole fifty of the series, highlighting a potential vulnerability that South African bowlers could exploit.
The match also featured notable statistical milestones. Starc’s six‑for‑12 in the first innings was the best figures by an Australian left‑arm pacer in a Test on foreign soil, and his cumulative 10‑wicket haul in the match underscored his status as one of the most prolific left‑arm fast bowlers in the modern era. Lyon, who claimed the wicket of Bangladesh captain Shanto and then wrapped up the final two wickets in quick succession after tea, moved closer to the top of the all‑time wicket‑taking chart, further cementing his legacy.
Overall, the two‑day win showcased Australia’s ability to bounce back from adversity, with their bowlers delivering a masterclass in swing, seam, and spin, and their batsmen providing a resilient, if not spectacular, platform. The series now stands level, setting up a compelling finale in the third Test, where both teams will be eager to claim the decisive advantage.