Australia's bowling attack can't disguise batting failings forever

Australia's swift innings victory over Bangladesh in Mackay might suggest a return to normalcy for the top-ranked Test side. However, this dominant performance on home soil has masked the significant batting frailties that led to a surprising defeat in Darwin just a week prior.

The bowlers, dubbed the "four galloping horsemen of the Apocalypse," were instrumental in the win. Mitchell Starc was particularly devastating, claiming 10 wickets for the match, including a remarkable 5-5 spell in the first innings. His relentless pace and accuracy proved too much for the Bangladeshi batters, who struggled to cope, with six of his victims falling for ducks.

Pat Cummins also contributed significantly with six wickets across both innings, supported by Nathan Lyon's three. This bowling firepower has contributed to a trend of short Test matches in Australia, with four of the last seven Tests on home soil concluding within two days. This raises questions about the balance of the game and the challenges faced by visiting teams against Australia's formidable bowling attack, even as the batting lineup continues to show vulnerability.

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I don't think it should necessarily have been a two-day game. I think there was obviously a little bit of seam movement day one in the morning … You'd expect that in most Test matches. But once the shine went off the ball it didn't do a great deal from a bowling point of view.