Starc's ten-fer helps vengeful Australia pack Bangladesh within two days at Mackay; series ends in 1-1 draw

Mitchell Starc's exceptional bowling performance, including a ten-wicket haul, powered Australia to a crushing victory over Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs in the second Test at Mackay. The win leveled the two-match series at 1-1, marking a strong comeback after Australia's historic loss to Bangladesh in the first Test in Darwin.

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Starc's fifer was a special one as four of five batters got out for a duck.

Responding to their dismal performance in the previous match, Australia's bowlers, led by Starc, delivered a vengeful display. They prevented Bangladesh from surpassing 100 runs in either innings. Starc was immediately impactful, taking his first five-wicket haul within the first seven overs of the match, reducing Bangladesh to a precarious 12/5. Four of those dismissals were ducks. Captain Pat Cummins provided crucial support with figures of 3/25. Bangladesh was ultimately bowled out for 64, narrowly avoiding their lowest-ever Test score, with Shoriful Islam being their top scorer with 14 runs.

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Starc (6/12 in 10 overs) bowling yet another legendary spell, entering the top ten Test wicket-takers by overtaking Dale Steyn.

Starc continued his dominance in the second innings, finishing with figures of 6/12 in 10 overs. His performance also saw him overtake Dale Steyn to enter the top ten Test wicket-takers list. In Australia's first innings, despite a shaky start that saw them at 41/3, Steve Smith and Cameron Green built a crucial 77-run partnership. However, it was Bangladesh's left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam who caused significant damage, taking 7/48 – the best figures by a Bangladesh bowler away from home – to skittle Australia for 210. Australia held a lead of 146 runs.

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Shoriful (7/48) recording the best-ever figures by a Bangladesh bowler away from home.

In their second innings, Bangladesh was dismissed for just 95. Starc, Cummins, and spinner Nathan Lyon shared the wickets, with Starc taking 4/39. The highest partnership for Bangladesh was a mere 27 runs. Despite the bowlers' success, Australia's batting vulnerabilities persist, as highlighted by their collapse to 210 all out. These batting concerns will need addressing before their Test series in South Africa in October. Starc was deservedly named Player of the Match for his match-winning performance.

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Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (31 in 46 balls, with six fours) and Mushfiqur Rahim's (29* in 80 balls, with three fours) put on a 27-run stand for the fourth wicket was the highest point of Bangladesh's batting, as they collapsed from 51/3 to 95 all out.