MACKAY, Aug 22: Mitchell Starc produced a devastating spell as Australia dismissed Bangladesh for just 64 on the opening day of the second Test in Mackay, giving the hosts a commanding start after their defeat in the series opener.
Starc removed Shadman Islam with the first delivery of the match and continued to dismantle the Bangladesh batting order. He finished the innings with outstanding figures of 6-12, taking five wickets in only 22 balls.
Bangladesh struggled to cope with Australia’s pace attack and were reduced to 35 for six before their innings collapsed completely. Shoriful Islam top scored with only 14 as the visitors were bowled out in 34 overs.
Starc’s five wicket burst was the sixth fastest in Test cricket. The left arm paceman already holds the record for the fastest five-wicket haul after taking five wickets in 15 balls against the West Indies last year.
Australia were seeking a response after Bangladesh stunned them with a nine wicket victory in the opening Test at Darwin.
The hosts began their reply aggressively but lost three wickets for 50 runs before the close of the opening session, leaving them 14 runs behind Bangladesh’s first innings total.
The Mackay Test has therefore opened with a dramatic reversal of fortunes, with Australia’s bowlers putting Bangladesh under immediate pressure and setting up a potentially decisive contest in the remaining days.
