Mitchell Starc produced another devastating bowling performance as Australia defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs in the second Test at Mackay on Sunday, wrapping up the match inside two days.
Australia’s emphatic victory levelled the series after Bangladesh had stunned the world’s top-ranked side with a nine-wicket win in the first Test at Darwin.
The visitors were unable to repeat that performance in Mackay. Bangladesh were bowled out for just 64 in their first innings and managed only 95 in the second as Australia dominated with the ball.
Starc finished with 10 wickets in the match. He took 6-12 in the first innings before adding 4-39 in Bangladesh’s second innings.
Bangladesh Collapse for 95 in Second Innings
Bangladesh began their second innings with a huge task ahead of them. However, their batting collapsed again against Australia’s pace attack.
Shadman Islam lasted only three balls before edging a moving delivery from Starc to Marnus Labuschagne at point.
Mominul Haque departed on the very next delivery. He failed to offer a shot as Starc knocked over his off stump, giving the fast bowler a chance to complete a hat-trick.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto survived the hat-trick ball. However, Bangladesh continued to lose wickets.
Tanzid Hasan was dismissed for nine after pulling a delivery from Pat Cummins. Starc took the catch in the deep.
Shanto Fights Before Lyon Breaks Through
Shanto attempted to steady Bangladesh’s innings after the early wickets. He faced 46 deliveries and scored 31 runs.
His resistance ended against Nathan Lyon. The Bangladesh captain hit the off-spinner to Starc at long-off.
Starc then returned to the attack and removed Litton Das without scoring. The batter played a loose shot and was caught by Beau Webster at third slip.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz also struggled to build an innings. He was dismissed after attacking a Cummins bouncer, with Alex Carey completing the catch.
Cummins then removed Hasan Mahmud for two.
Starc completed his 10-wicket match haul when he bowled Taijul Islam for seven.
Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 29, while Taskin Ahmed was also not out on eight.
Australia Recover From Difficult Position
Australia had resumed their first innings on 165-8, with Cameron Green unbeaten on 51 and Lyon on 10.
Green continued to score before Shoriful Islam produced an excellent inswinging yorker. The ball struck Green on the toe, and a review confirmed the batter was out lbw.
Lyon then helped Australia push their total beyond 200. He hit a towering six off Taskin Ahmed and added valuable runs with Josh Hazlewood.
Hazlewood and Lyon added 24 runs for the final wicket.
Australia were eventually bowled out for 214 when Hazlewood skied Taijul Islam to Shadman Islam for six.
Lyon remained unbeaten on 32.
Starc Leads Australia’s Dominant Victory
Australia’s total of 214 gave them a 150-run first-innings lead after Bangladesh had collapsed for 64.
Bangladesh needed a much-improved batting performance in their second innings to make Australia bat again. However, Starc and Cummins ensured that the visitors were unable to recover.
Cummins finished with 3-10 in the second innings, while Starc took 4-39 to complete a 10-wicket match haul.
The innings-and-51-run victory was a strong response from Australia after their surprise nine-wicket defeat in the opening Test.
Starc’s performance was the highlight of the match, with the left-arm fast bowler proving too difficult for Bangladesh’s batting lineup in both innings.
