Australia quickly erased the sting of their surprising opening defeat to Bangladesh in Darwin by delivering a commanding innings victory in just two days at Mackay, thereby equalising the two‑match Test series at one win apiece. The Australian bowlers turned the tide, with Mitchell Starc leading the charge by claiming four wickets for 39 runs in the second innings and finishing the match with an impressive ten‑for‑51 haul.
Bangladesh were dismissed for fewer than 100 runs for the second time in the encounter, underscoring the potency of the Australian attack. Pat Cummins also made a significant impact, snaring three wickets for just ten runs, while off‑spinner Nathan Lyon added three for 25.
Their combined efforts saw Bangladesh bowled out for 95 runs in 38.3 overs before the tea break on day two, sealing an innings‑and‑51‑run triumph for the visitors. In the first innings, Bangladesh struggled to post a respectable total, collapsing to 64 all out in 34 overs. Starc was devastating, taking six wickets for just 12 runs, and Cummins contributed three for 25, with Josh Hazlewood picking up a solitary wicket.
Bangladesh’s lone resistance came from Shoriful Islam, who managed 14 runs before being dismissed. Australia’s reply yielded 210 runs in 52.3 overs, anchored primarily by a gritty 67 from Cameron Green and a solid 42 from veteran Steve Smith.
Nathan Lyon added a useful 32 not out, providing lower‑order stability. Bangladesh’s bowlers, however, managed to claim a few wickets: Shoriful Islam took seven for 48, marking the best innings figures by a Bangladeshi bowler on foreign soil, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, and Taskin Ahmed each contributed a wicket.
The second innings saw Bangladesh falter again, bowled out for 95. Starc’s four‑for‑39 and Cummins’ three‑for‑10 dismantled the batting line‑up, with Lyon chipping in with three for 25. The Bangladeshi side’s top‑order contributions were modest, with Najmul Hossain Shanto scoring 31 and Mushfiqur Rahim adding an unbeaten 29. Despite the modest first‑innings total of 210, Australia’s bowlers ensured the margin was never in doubt, wrapping up the match with an innings‑and‑51‑run victory.
Starc, who earned the Player of the Match accolade, reflected on the turnaround: "Much better week. We knew we weren't at our best in Darwin, but this week we delivered exactly what we expect of ourselves, especially with the ball and the assistance the wicket gave us." While the win was emphatic, it may do little to allay lingering concerns about the robustness of Australia’s batting line‑up ahead of their upcoming three‑Test series against the reigning World Test Championship champions, South Africa, scheduled to commence in October. A brief look at the scorecard highlights the key moments: Australia, after being 165‑8 at one stage in their first innings, were eventually dismissed for 210, with Green’s 67 standing out as the sole half‑century after his century in the opening Test.
Shoriful Islam’s 7‑48 remained the best innings figures by a Bangladesh bowler away from home. Chasing a modest target of 146 to force the hosts to bat again, Bangladesh slumped to 39‑3 by the lunch interval and suffered a middle‑session collapse, ending the day at 95‑8. Starc, who had already stunned with a 6‑12 spell in the first innings, continued his dominance by taking four wickets for 39 runs in the second innings. His early breakthroughs included dismissing opener Shadman Islam for a single run and Mominul Haque for a duck in his second over.
He also trapped wicket‑keeper Litton Das in the slips for another duck and later bowled tail‑ender Taijul Islam for 11. Starc’s performance propelled him up the all‑time Test wicket‑takers list, moving him into tenth place with 445 dismissals, just four behind Nathan Lyon. Reflecting on his ascent, Starc quipped, "Nathan didn’t remind me that I’ve just stepped onto the first rung of the ladder while he’s still up there looking down on me," delivering the comment with a wry grin.
Lyon, meanwhile, claimed the pivotal wicket of Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for 31 and wrapped up the match by taking the final two wickets in three consecutive deliveries after the tea break, sealing Australia’s victory. Overall, the match showcased Australia’s ability to bounce back swiftly from adversity, with a lethal combination of pace and spin that dismantled Bangladesh’s batting line‑up twice. The series now stands level, setting the stage for a decisive third Test, while the Australian selectors will be keen to address any lingering batting frailties before the looming South African tour.