Australia quickly erased the sting of their surprising opening defeat to Bangladesh in Darwin by delivering a crushing innings win in Mackay, leveling the two‑match Test series at one win each. The Australians imposed their superiority with the ball, as Mitchell Starc ripped through the Bangladeshi line‑up, taking four wickets for 39 runs in the second innings and ending the match with a combined 10‑for‑51 haul. Bangladesh were bowled out for less than 100 runs for the second time in the game, underscoring the potency of the Australian attack.
Pat Cummins also made a significant impact, snaring three wickets for just ten runs, while veteran spinner Nathan Lyon added three for 25. Their disciplined bowling forced Bangladesh into a total of 95 runs in 38.3 overs before the tea break on day two, sealing the match before the final session even began. The first innings saw Bangladesh tumble to 64 all out in 34 overs, with Starc delivering a spellbinding 6‑for‑12, Cummins chipping in with 3‑for‑25, and Josh Hazlewood picking up a wicket for 18 runs. Shoriful Islam was the only Bangladeshi bowler to claim a wicket, finishing with figures of 1‑4‑14‑0.
In response, Australia managed 210 runs in 52.3 overs. Cameron Green top‑scored with a fluent 67, while Steve Smith contributed a steady 42.
Nathan Lyon added a useful 32 not out. Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Shoriful Islam’s 7‑for‑48 – the best innings figures by a Bangladeshi bowler on foreign soil – struggled to contain the hosts.
In the second innings, Bangladesh’s batting collapsed once more. After a modest start, they were reduced to 39‑3 by the lunch interval and continued to lose wickets in quick succession, ending the day at 95‑8. Najmul Hossain Shanto managed 31 runs, and Mushfiqur Rahim added an unbeaten 29, but the rest of the line‑up could not muster any resistance. Starc’s second‑innings figures of 4‑39, combined with Cummins’ 3‑10 and Lyon’s 3‑25, wrapped up an innings‑and‑51‑run victory for Australia.
Starc, who was named Player of the Match, 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 conditions on the pitch." His performance not only secured the win but also moved him up the all‑time Test wicket‑takers list, placing him tenth with 445 dismissals, just four behind Lyon. Despite the emphatic win, questions remain about Australia's batting depth as they prepare for a three‑Test series against the reigning World Test Championship champions, South Africa, slated to begin in October.
In the first innings of this match, Australia were 165‑8 at one stage before being bowled out for 210, with Green the only player to pass fifty. The reliance on a few key contributions highlights a potential vulnerability that the South African bowlers could exploit. Bangladesh’s Shoriful Islam, recalled for his left‑arm pace, earned the distinction of the best innings figures by a Bangladeshi bowler away from home, a testament to his skill and the conditions that favoured seamers.
However, the hosts’ collective effort with the ball, particularly Starc’s lethal spell of 6‑12 in the first innings, proved too much for the visitors. Starc’s early breakthroughs set the tone: he dismissed opener Shadman Islam for a single run, followed by Mominul Haque for a duck in his second over.
He then trapped wicket‑keeper Litton Das in the slips for another duck and later bowled tail‑ender Taijul Islam for 11. These quick wickets rattled Bangladesh’s confidence and forced them into a defensive posture. Nathan Lyon, already an established left‑arm spinner, claimed the crucial wicket of captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for 31 and wrapped up the final two wickets in a rapid three‑ball burst after tea, sealing the match.
Lyon’s comment to Starc, “You’ve just stepped on the first rung of the ladder,” was delivered with a grin, acknowledging Starc’s ascent in the record books. Overall, the match showcased Australia’s ability to bounce back from adversity, leveraging a disciplined bowling attack and capitalising on favourable pitch conditions. While the series is now tied, the upcoming South African tour will test whether the Australians can translate their bowling dominance into more consistent batting performances, ensuring they remain competitive at the highest level of Test cricket.