Starc destroys Bangladesh in Mackay as Australia bounce back from Darwin disaster
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - The Ashes - Australia v England - Second Test - The Gabba, Brisbane, Australia - December 4, 2025 Australia's Mitchell Starc in action REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
Aug 23 : Evergreen paceman Mitchell Starc grabbed the fourth 10-wicket haul of his career to propel Australia to a thumping innings and 51-run victory in two days against Bangladesh on Sunday as the hosts hit back hard in Mackay to split the Test series 1-1 after their Darwin humiliation.
Left-armer Starc finished with match figures of 10-51 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 95 just after tea at Great Barrier Reef Arena, with the 750-ball Test clocking in as the shortest in Australia in almost a century.
For Bangladesh, who were routed for 64 in the first innings, it was a huge come-down after their famous nine-wicket win in Darwin, rated by some as the greatest upset in Test cricket's nearly-150-year history.
Australia, however, showed their ageing attack remains a force on a bouncy wicket and capable of covering for their batting deficiencies.
"Much better week. We knew we weren't at our best, or what we expect of ourselves, in Darwin," said 36-year-old Starc, who swept the Player of the Match and Series awards after claiming 12 wickets at an average of 12.08.
"What we expect of ourselves this week is what we got, particularly with the ball and the wicket that aided us with the ball."
As emphatic as the victory was, Australia's batting remains a quandary before they meet the reigning World Test Championship winners South Africa on a daunting three-Test tour in October.
The hosts were bowled out for 210 in reply to Bangladesh's 64, with Cameron Green (67) alone making more than 50.
The brevity of the match - Australia's third two-day fizzer in its last seven home Tests - put Mackay's Gabba-style pitch under the microscope.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored for his side with 31 and said the wicket was difficult for both sides' batters.
Spinner Nathan Lyon, who took 3-25 in Bangladesh's second innings and scored 32 not out batting at number 10, rated it a "good cricket wicket."
WRECKING BALL STARC
Naturally, Starc loved the surface.
He took a stunning 6-12 in the first innings to set up victory and was Australia's chief wrecking ball again with 4-39 in the third.
Already the most prolific left-arm pace bowler in Tests, Starc moved to 10th on the all-time Test wickets list with 445 dismissals, four spots behind Lyon.
"Nathan (Lyon) didn't remind me that I've just stepped on the first rung of the ladder and he's still up there looking down on me," Starc said with a wry grin.
After bowling Australia out in the morning of day two, Bangladesh needed 146 runs to make the hosts bat again, but slumped to 39 for three by lunch before collapsing in the middle session.
After limping to 95 for eight at tea, Bangladesh's tailenders lasted only three balls, with Lyon capturing the last wickets.
Home captain Pat Cummins also finished strongly with 3-10, while Lyon captured the key wicket of Shanto.
Despite the Mackay setback, Bangladesh leave their first Test tour of Australia in 23 years with reputations enhanced.
Their recalled left-arm paceman Shoriful Islam took 7-48 in a Starc-esque display in the second match, the best innings haul by a Bangladesh bowler in an away Test.
It was the tall 25-year-old's first five-wicket haul in his budding Test career and he beamed after the match while swapping notes with Starc.
Bangladesh skipper Shanto called on Australia to host them in more Tests - and not wait another 23 years.
"It was challenging for us," he said. "But as a team if we want to go forward we need to address these conditions and I think this experience will help us moving forward."
