Australia swiftly erased the sting of their unexpected opening defeat to Bangladesh in Darwin by delivering a dominant innings win in just two days at Mackay, thereby equalising the two‑match Test series at one win apiece. The Australian bowlers ripped through the Bangladeshi line‑up, with Mitchell Starc producing a spectacular spell that saw him finish the match with figures of 10 wickets for 51 runs. In the second innings, Starc claimed four more wickets for 39 runs, while his fellow paceman Pat Cummins added three for just ten, and off‑spinner Nathan Lyon contributed another three for 25.
Bangladesh’s second‑innings total collapsed to 95 all out in 38.3 overs before the tea break on day two. The match unfolded with Bangladesh being bundled out for a meagre 64 runs in their first innings, bowled out in 34 overs. Starc was the star of that spell, snaring six wickets for just 12 runs, while Cummins took three for 25 and Josh Hazlewood added one for 18. Shoriful Islam managed a solitary wicket for 14 runs.
In response, Australia posted 210 runs in 52.3 overs, a modest total that nevertheless proved sufficient. Cameron Green top‑scored with 67 runs, supported by a solid 42 from Steve Smith and a gritty 32 not out from Nathan Lyon. Bangladesh’s bowlers managed a handful of wickets: Shoriful Islam took seven for 48, Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed one for four, Taijul Islam one for 17, and Taskin Ahmed one for 58.
Bangladesh’s chase in the second innings was short‑lived. They were dismissed for 95 runs in 38.3 overs, with Starc again leading the charge with four wickets for 39 runs, Cummins adding three for ten, and Lyon three for 25. Najmul Hossain Shanto contributed a fighting 31, while Mushfiqur Rahim added an unbeaten 29.
The early collapse after a promising start of 39 for three at lunch saw Bangladesh tumble to 95 for eight by tea, sealing an innings‑and‑51‑run defeat for the visitors. 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." Despite the emphatic win, questions linger about Australia’s batting depth ahead of their upcoming three‑Test series in South Africa, where they will face the reigning World Test Championship champions. The scorecard highlighted several notable performances. Australia’s 165‑8 at the close of day one eventually turned into a total of 210, with Green’s 67 being the only half‑century after his century in the first Test. Shoriful Islam’s 7‑48 marked the best innings figures by a Bangladeshi bowler on foreign soil.
The hosts required 146 runs to force Bangladesh to bat again, but after a promising start they slumped to 39‑3 at lunch and never recovered. Starc’s impact was undeniable.
After his six‑for‑12 in the first innings, he returned to claim four more wickets in the second, dismissing opener Shadman Islam for a single run, then Mominul Haque for a duck in his second over. He also trapped wicket‑keeper Litton Das for a second consecutive duck and bowled tail‑ender Taijul Islam for 11.
With this performance, the 36‑year‑old moved into tenth place on the all‑time Test wicket‑takers list, now sitting just four spots behind his teammate Nathan Lyon. Lyon, meanwhile, took the crucial wicket of Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for 31 and wrapped up the final two wickets in a rapid three‑ball burst after the tea break, sealing the match for Australia. When asked about his place on the leaderboard, Starc quipped with a grin, "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." Overall, the match showcased Australia’s lethal pace attack and their ability to bounce back from adversity.
While the batting line‑up still faces scrutiny, the bowlers demonstrated that they can dominate even on unfamiliar pitches. The series now stands level, setting the stage for an intriguing third Test, should one be scheduled, and providing a confidence boost ahead of the challenging South African tour slated for October.