Australia delivered a commanding performance to bounce back from their historic defeat in Darwin, securing an innings-and-51-run victory over Bangladesh in the second Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena on Sunday. This win leveled the two-match series at 1-1.
The hosts wrapped up the match inside two days by dismissing Bangladesh for just 95 in their second innings, after bowling them out for only 64 earlier. Australia had posted 210 runs in their first innings, establishing a substantial lead of 146 runs.
This result came shortly after Bangladesh shocked Australia with a nine-wicket win in Darwin—their first-ever Test victory on Australian soil—denying the hosts a historic series triumph.
Mitchell Starc was the standout performer, claiming 10 wickets in the match. He produced a devastating 6-12 in Bangladesh’s first innings and followed it up with four more wickets in the second innings, orchestrating Australia’s emphatic comeback.
After winning the toss, Australia chose to bowl first, a decision immediately vindicated by Starc. He dismissed Shadman Islam with the very first ball of the match and then systematically dismantled Bangladesh’s top order. Starc’s 6-12 from 10 overs, including six maidens, restricted Bangladesh to a mere 64 runs in 34 overs.
Notably, Starc’s opening-ball wicket marked the fourth time he has taken a wicket with the first delivery of a Test match. During this spell, he also surpassed Dale Steyn to enter the top 10 of all-time Test wicket-takers.
Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood supported Starc effectively, taking three and one wickets respectively, as Bangladesh’s batting lineup collapsed, with four batsmen dismissed without scoring and the visitors reduced to 9-3 at one point.
Australia’s reply began shakily due to Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam, who was recalled for this match after missing the first Test. Shoriful delivered an outstanding spell, taking six wickets on the opening day and finishing with career-best figures of 7-48. He dismissed key Australian batsmen including Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith.
Australia ended the first day at 165-8, holding a lead of just 101 runs, raising the possibility of another low-scoring contest. However, Cameron Green steadied the innings by scoring a crucial 67 runs before getting out on Sunday. His innings helped Australia reach 210, securing a vital 146-run first-innings advantage despite the team’s overall inconsistent batting. Steve Smith contributed 42 runs, while Nathan Lyon remained unbeaten on 32.
Shoriful’s 7-48 was an exceptional achievement, marking the best innings haul by a Bangladesh bowler in an away Test, yet it was insufficient to prevent Australia from dominating the match.
Bangladesh’s second innings started disastrously as they needed to erase a 146-run deficit just to make Australia bat again. Starc struck early, taking two wickets in the third over by dismissing Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque with consecutive deliveries. Cummins then removed Tanzid Hasan for nine, leaving Bangladesh at 39-3 at lunch and still trailing by 107 runs.
The collapse continued after the break. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto showed some resistance with 31 runs, and Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored with an unbeaten 29, but Bangladesh failed to build significant partnerships. Australia’s pace attack consistently exposed the visitors’ fragile batting lineup.
Starc finished with figures of 4-39 in the second innings, bringing his match tally to 10 wickets. Cummins took 3-10, while Nathan Lyon claimed three wickets as Bangladesh were bowled out for 95.
This comprehensive victory marked a remarkable turnaround for Australia, who had entered the match trailing 1-0 after Bangladesh’s historic nine-wicket win in Darwin. The hosts’ effective use of pace bowling in Mackay was decisive, with 18 wickets falling on the opening day alone—Starc and Shoriful each taking six wickets as both teams struggled with the pitch conditions.
Ultimately, Australia secured their first Test win over Bangladesh in the series, ensuring the two teams shared the honours with a 1-1 draw. For Bangladesh, the defeat ended their hopes of a maiden Test series victory in Australia. For Australia, the win was a vital response following one of their most significant home defeats in Test history.
Starc’s 10-wicket haul and Australia’s aggressive pace attack proved pivotal in turning a potentially humiliating series loss into a drawn contest.
