Australia swiftly answered the surprise defeat they suffered against Bangladesh in Darwin by delivering a crushing innings victory in Mackay, sealing the two‑match Test series at one win apiece. The Australians, determined to restore their reputation, produced a disciplined performance that saw them bowl out the Bangladeshi side for less than a hundred runs in both innings, ultimately winning by an innings and 51 runs. In the first innings, Bangladesh struggled to find any rhythm with the bat, collapsing for a paltry 64 all out in just 34 overs.
The Australian pace attack was relentless, with Mitchell Starc ripping through the top order, claiming six wickets for only 12 runs. Fellow fast bowler Pat Cummins added three for 25, while Josh Hazlewood contributed a solitary wicket for 18 runs. The lone Bangladeshi resistance came from Shoriful Islam, who managed 14 runs before being dismissed. This early onslaught set the tone for the match and put Bangladesh on the back foot before they had even settled into their innings.
Australia’s reply was steadier but far from explosive. They amassed 210 runs in 52.3 overs, a total that, while modest by Australian standards, proved sufficient given the precarious state of the opposition. The innings was anchored by Cameron Green, who top‑scored with 67, and veteran Steve Smith, who contributed a gritty 42. Nathan Lyon chipped in with a useful 32 not out, providing valuable lower‑order runs.
Bangladesh’s bowlers managed only a few breakthroughs: Shoriful Islam took 7‑48, the best innings figures by a Bangladeshi bowler on foreign soil, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam each claimed a wicket, and Taskin Ahmed added another. Facing a deficit of 146 runs to force Bangladesh to bat again, the visitors began their second innings with a brief surge, reaching 39‑3 by the lunch break.
However, the middle order collapsed under pressure, and by tea the score had slumped to 95‑8. Starc, who had already dazzled with a six‑for‑12 haul in the first innings, continued his dominance by taking four wickets for 39 runs in the second innings. Pat Cummins added three for 10, and Nathan Lyon contributed three for 25, ensuring the Bangladeshi side could not mount any meaningful comeback. Najmul Hossain Shanto managed a fighting 31, while Mushfiqur Rahim added a resilient 29 not out, but their efforts were insufficient to avert the inevitable defeat.
Starc’s overall match figures of 10‑51 earned him the Player of the Match award, and his performance pushed him further up the all‑time Test wicket‑takers list, moving into tenth place with 445 dismissals, just four behind his compatriot Nathan Lyon. Reflecting on the turnaround, Starc said, "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 conditions that helped us." While the victory was emphatic, it also highlighted lingering concerns about Australia’s batting depth.
The team’s total of 210, though enough to win, exposed a reliance on a handful of players for runs. As the Australians prepare for a three‑Test series against the reigning World Test Championship champions South Africa in October, questions remain about whether their middle order can consistently post competitive scores against top‑ranked opposition.
The match also featured notable milestones. Starc’s six‑for‑12 in the first innings was the best figures by a visiting bowler in Bangladesh’s Test history, and his cumulative 10‑51 placed him among the elite left‑arm pacers in the game.
Lyon’s dismissal of Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for 31 and his swift double‑wicket burst after tea underscored his importance as a partnership breaker. Overall, the Mackay Test was a showcase of Australian bowling firepower and a reminder that, despite a setback in Darwin, the team can regroup quickly and dominate when conditions favor their strengths. The series now stands level, setting the stage for an intriguing conclusion in the next encounter, while also serving as a confidence‑boosting platform ahead of the challenging South African tour.