Australia opened the second and final Test in Mackay with a spectacular bowling display, skittling Bangladesh for a meagre 64 runs before their own batting line‑up stumbled to 165 for 8. The dramatic 18‑wicket day came after the hosts had suffered a stunning nine‑wicket loss in the opening match at Darwin, and they were eager to bounce back with a statement performance. Winning the toss, Australia chose to field, and the decision paid immediate dividends. Mitchell Starc ripped through the Bangladeshi top order, claiming six wickets for just 12 runs.
His opening spell was nothing short of lethal: the first ball of the innings saw Shadman Islam caught at gully for a duck, and Starc continued his onslaught by dismissing Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das without any of them managing to get off the mark. By the time Mominul Haque fell for nine, Bangladesh were already reeling at 12 for 5. Starc’s five‑wicket haul was completed in a blistering 22 deliveries, a spell that left the Bangladeshi side floundering and ultimately bowled out for 64 in just 34 overs.
He was ably supported by fellow pacemen Pat Cummins, who took three for 25, and Josh Hazlewood, who added one for 18. Bangladesh’s lone resistance came from Shoriful Islam, who managed 14 runs before being dismissed.
In response, Australia’s innings began shakily. Early wickets fell at regular intervals, with the recalled Matt Renshaw dismissed for eight and Marnus Labuschagne, who has struggled for form, falling for four. The top‑order also lost Travis Head, who was bowled by Shoriful Islam for 22.
At one point the visitors found themselves 41 for 3, a precarious position that threatened to derail their comeback. However, a partnership between Cameron Green and Steve Smith steadied the ship. Green, a left‑handed dynamo, scored an unbeaten 51, while the experienced Steve Smith contributed a solid 42.
Their 77‑run stand, built from 112 deliveries, provided much‑needed stability and allowed Australia to post a respectable total of 165 for 8 after 40 overs. The partnership was eventually broken when Smith was given out leg‑before‑wicket to Shoriful Islam, who matched Starc’s day by also taking six wickets. The latter part of the Australian innings saw a brief collapse, with five wickets falling for just 30 runs. Nathan Lyon, the veteran off‑spinner, managed to add ten not out before stumps, but the lower order contributed very little.
Alex Carey, Beau Webster, captain Pat Cummins and even Starc himself added a combined six runs, underscoring the batting frailties that still plague the side. Shoriful Islam’s spell was particularly devastating; after dismissing Webster and Cummins in the same over, he completed his maiden Test five‑for and then claimed Starc’s wicket with a superb delivery.
At the close of day one, Australia held a 101‑run lead, a comfortable cushion but one that masks deeper concerns about their batting depth. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting voiced his worries, pointing out that Marnus Labuschagne has gone 43 innings without a Test century and may need to be replaced.
Ponting praised the selectors for trying to restore Labuschagne’s confidence but warned that the player’s technical shortcomings—particularly his inability to score off the back foot—have become a liability. "He can’t score off the back foot.
If you can’t score off the back foot in Test cricket, then batting becomes hard," Ponting told Channel 7, emphasizing that the time may have come to consider alternative options. The day’s events highlighted a stark contrast: Australia’s bowling unit, led by Starc’s six‑for, demonstrated world‑class potency, while the batting line‑up, despite moments of resilience from Green and Smith, revealed lingering vulnerabilities.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, will take heart from Shoriful Islam’s six‑wicket haul, which not only helped contain Australia’s lower order but also marked his first five‑for in Test cricket. Looking ahead, the series hinges on whether Australia can tighten up their batting and convert the lead into a decisive victory, while Bangladesh will aim to rebuild after a dismal first innings and rely on their bowlers to keep the pressure on.
The next day promises further drama as both teams adjust strategies, with the possibility of more wickets, crucial partnerships, and perhaps a turning point that could shape the outcome of the series. Scorecard Summary: - Bangladesh 1st innings: 64 all out (34 overs) – Mitchell Starc 6/12, Pat Cummins 3/25, Josh Hazlewood 1/18; Shoriful Islam 14 runs.
- Australia 1st innings: 165/8 (40 overs) – Cameron Green 51* (no), Steve Smith 42; Shoriful Islam 6/35, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 1/4, Taskin Ahmed 1/41. The match also featured a notable performance from Shoriful Islam, who claimed six wickets for 35 runs, mirroring Starc’s impact and securing his maiden five‑for in the process.
His spell was instrumental in breaking through the Australian lower order and will be remembered as a key factor in the day’s narrative. Overall, the opening day of the Mackay Test delivered a thrilling mix of dominant bowling, fragile batting, and strategic intrigue, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the series.