An irrepressible Mitchell Starc bagged four wickets in the second innings and 10 for the match as he ripped through Bangladesh’s batting lineup to ensure a commanding victory by an innings and 51 runs in the second Test for Australia in just two days. The statement win on Sunday ensured the hosts ended the two-match series in a draw. The visitors headed into the Mackay showdown on a high after shocking the world’s top-ranked team by nine wickets in the first Test at Darwin.
But they were brought crashing back to earth by some scintillating fast bowling, led by man of the match Starc, who finished with 10-51 for the match to level the series. After 18 wickets fell on a frenetic first day of the five-day match, the hosts were all out for 210 in the second day’s morning session, securing a lead of 146 on the back of Cameron Green’s 67. Paceman Shoriful Islam claimed 7-48 — the best figures by a Bangladeshi bowler in an away Test.
The visitors collapsed for just 64 in their first innings, when Starc took 6-12, and he was the chief tormentor again, claiming 4-39 as Bangladesh crumbled to be 95 all out. Skipper Pat Cummins chipped in with 3-10 and Nathan Lyon 3-25. I thought everyone was sharp.
It was a great start, and we didn’t really let up after that.” Bangladesh had a horror start, with Shadman Islam lasting just three balls, playing a meaningless stroke to a moving Starc delivery and edging to Marnus Labuschagne at point. Mominul Haque was equally clueless next ball, failing to offer a shot, with Starc removing his off stump and setting up a hat-trick opportunity. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who was out for a golden duck in the first innings, this time survived to deny Starc.
But their woes deepened when Tanzid Hasan departed soon after for nine. Starc was again involved, taking a catch in the deep after Tanzid pulled Cummins. Shanto did well to soak up the pressure after lunch for 46 deliveries, but he eventually lost focus against the off-spin of Lyon, holing out to the safe hands of Starc at long off on 31.
And when Starc was brought back into the attack, he was front and centre again, enticing a loose shot from Litton Das, who was caught without scoring by Beau Webster at third slip. Mehidy Hasan Miraz struggled to get going and departed to an equally poor shot, lashing at a Cummins bouncer and being collected by wicketkeeper Alex Carey. The Australian captain then removed Hasan Mahmud (2) before Starc took his 10th for the match — the fourth time he has achieved the feat — when he bowled Taijul Islam for 7 runs.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
