Australia squared their Test series against Bangladesh at 1-1 following a clinical performance at the Mackay Test, wrapping up an innings and 51-run victory inside just two days. The hosts resumed their first innings on 165 and pushed their total to 210, establishing a commanding 146-run lead. Cameron Green, who started the day unbeaten on 51, anchored the lower order alongside Nathan Lyon, who contributed an unbeaten 32. Their 38-run partnership for the ninth wicket proved crucial in pushing the total past 200, while Shoriful Islam finished with 7 for 48, marking the best bowling figures by a Bangladeshi pacer in Test history.
Facing a significant deficit, Bangladesh’s batting lineup collapsed for a second time, managing only 95 runs. Mitchell Starc spearheaded the attack with the new ball, dismissing Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque in consecutive deliveries during his second over. Although captain Najmul Hossain Shanto prevented a hat-trick, Pat Cummins soon removed Tanzid Hasan Tamim to leave the visitors reeling at 24/3.
The pressure remained relentless as Shanto, who top-scored with 31, became the fourth wicket to fall. The middle and lower order failed to provide resistance, with no batter managing double digits as the wickets continued to tumble throughout the second session. Mitchell Starc eventually claimed his tenth wicket of the match by dismissing Litton Das, while Pat Cummins returned to remove Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud in quick succession.
Nathan Lyon applied the finishing touches, cleaning up the tail just three deliveries after the Tea break to finalize the victory. The brief scores for the match were: Bangladesh 64 (Mitchell Starc 6-12, Pat Cummins 3-25) and 95 (Najmul Hossain Shanto 31, Mushfiqur Rahim 29; Mitchell Starc 4-39, Pat Cummins 3-10, Nathan Lyon 3-25) against Australia 210 (Cameron Green 67, Steve Smith 42; Shoriful Islam 7-48). Starc’s match figures of 10 for 51 were the defining factor in a contest where Australia’s bowling unit proved far too potent for the visiting side. The report also notes that claiming 4 for 39 to complete a match ten-for, mitchell Starc was among the wickets early again in the second innings as well. The report also notes that securing a significant lead of 146 runs that proved more than sufficient against insipid Bangladesh, hosts Australia added 45 runs to their overnight 165 to finish with 210.
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