Australia quickly rebounded from their surprising opening defeat to Bangladesh in Darwin by delivering a crushing innings victory in just two days at Mackay, thereby drawing the two‑match Test series at 1‑1. The Australian bowlers were the main architects of the win, with Mitchell Starc leading the charge by taking four wickets for 39 runs in the second innings and finishing the match with an impressive ten‑for‑51 overall.
Bangladesh’s batting collapsed twice, failing to reach the 100‑run mark on both occasions. In the second innings, Pat Cummins added three wickets for just ten runs, while off‑spinner Nathan Lyon contributed three for 25, ensuring Bangladesh were bundled out for 95 runs in 38.3 overs before the tea break on day two. The match began with Bangladesh being bundled out for a meagre 64 runs in 34 overs during their first innings. Starc ripped through the top order, claiming six wickets for just twelve runs, while Cummins took three for 25 and Josh Hazlewood added one for 18.
Shoriful Islam managed to claim a solitary wicket for 14 runs. Australia’s reply yielded 210 runs in 52.3 overs, anchored by a solid 67 from Cameron Green and a supportive 42 from Steve Smith. Nathan Lyon contributed a quick‑fire 32‑run cameo, though he was not out.
Bangladesh’s bowlers managed to pick up a few wickets, with Shoriful Islam taking seven for 48 – the best innings figures 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 could only muster 95 runs before being dismissed, with Starc, Cummins and Lyon sharing the wickets.
Najmul Hossain Shanto top‑scored with 31, while Mushfiqur Rahim added an unbeaten 29. The Australian side’s modest first‑innings total proved sufficient, as they secured an innings‑and‑51‑run triumph. Starc, who earned the Player of the Match award, 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 may not fully allay concerns 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. A brief look at the scorecard highlights: Bangladesh were bowled out for 64 in their first innings, with Starc’s 6‑12, Cummins’ 3‑25 and Hazlewood’s 1‑18 leading the attack.
Australia responded with 210 all out, featuring Green’s 67 and Smith’s 42. In the second innings, Bangladesh collapsed to 95, with Starc’s 4‑39, Cummins’ 3‑10 and Lyon’s 3‑25 dismantling the line‑up.
The match also featured notable individual performances. Cameron Green’s 67 was the only half‑century for Australia, and he had previously notched a century in the opening Test. Shoriful Islam’s 7‑48 remains a record‑breaking haul for a Bangladeshi bowler away from home. Australia needed 146 runs to force Bangladesh to bat again, but they stumbled to 39‑3 by lunch and further collapsed in the middle session, ending the day at 95‑8.
Starc, who had already stunned with 6‑12 in the first innings, continued his dominance with another four‑wicket haul. He dismissed opener Shadman Islam for one, bowled Mominul Haque for a duck, trapped wicket‑keeper Litton Das for a second consecutive duck, and later removed tail‑ender Taijul Islam for 11.
Starc’s ten‑wicket haul moved him into tenth place on the all‑time Test wicket‑takers list, just four spots behind his compatriot Nathan Lyon. Reflecting on his achievement, Starc joked, "Nathan didn’t remind me that I’ve just stepped on the first rung of the ladder while he’s still looking down from the top." Lyon, meanwhile, claimed the crucial wicket of Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for 31 and wrapped up the match by taking the final two wickets in three balls immediately after tea. Overall, the two‑day victory showcased Australia’s potent pace attack and their ability to bounce back swiftly after a setback, setting the stage for an intriguing series against South Africa later in the year.