Mitchell Starc produced a devastating bowling performance as Australia defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs in the second Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena on Sunday, drawing the two-match series 1-1.
The left-arm fast bowler claimed 10 wickets in the match as Australia responded strongly after suffering a historic defeat in the opening Test in Darwin.
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The second Test became one of the shortest completed matches in cricket history. It lasted only 750 legal deliveries, making it the second-shortest Test ever played in Australia and the fourth-shortest completed men’s Test overall.
Only the 1932 Australia versus South Africa Test in Melbourne, which ended after 656 balls, was shorter on Australian soil.
The match also became Australia’s third two-day Test in their last seven home matches. A total of 30 wickets fell across the contest, with all four innings producing only 369 runs.
Starc Destroys Bangladesh With Career-Best Home Figures
Starc was the main reason behind Australia’s dominant victory. He finished with match figures of 10-51, taking 6-12 in Bangladesh’s first innings and 4-39 in their second.
It was the fourth 10-wicket haul of his Test career and his best match figures in a home Test.
Bangladesh collapsed for just 64 in their first innings after Starc ripped through their top order. The veteran pacer took five wickets in only 22 deliveries before completing his six-wicket haul.
Pat Cummins also played a major role, claiming three wickets as Bangladesh lost nine wickets for just 39 runs.
Four Bangladesh batters returned without scoring. The list included openers Shadman Islam and Tanzid Hasan, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and wicketkeeper Litton Das.
Shoriful Islam top-scored for Bangladesh with 14 runs from 19 balls, while Taijul Islam remained unbeaten on 11 after adding 25 runs for the final wicket.
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Australia struggled early with the bat but recovered to score 210. Cameron Green led the innings with a determined 67 from 105 deliveries, while Steve Smith contributed 42.
Nathan Lyon remained unbeaten on 32 as Australia secured a first-innings lead of 146 runs.
Bangladesh fast bowler Shoriful Islam was the standout performer for the visitors with the ball. He claimed a career-best 7-48, becoming the best-performing Bangladesh fast bowler in Test history and recording the best away Test figures by a Bangladesh bowler.
Bangladesh Collapse as Australia Level Series
Bangladesh’s batting problems continued in the second innings. The visitors were dismissed for 95 in 38.3 overs.
Shanto scored 31 from 46 balls, while Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 29 from 80 deliveries.
The collapse created unwanted history for Bangladesh. They became the first team in 21 years to be bowled out below 100 in both innings of a Test match.
Starc completed his 10-wicket match haul by removing four batters in the second innings. Cummins and Lyon also contributed with three wickets each.
Lyon finished the match by taking the final two wickets after tea, sealing Australia’s victory inside two days.
The result gave Australia a series-levelling win after Bangladesh stunned them with a nine-wicket victory in the first Test in Darwin.
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Despite the defeat, Bangladesh’s performance remained historic. Their Darwin victory was their first Test win over Australia since 2017 and came during their first Test tour of Australia in 23 years.
Starc ended the series as Australia’s leading bowler with 12 wickets at an average of 12.08 and earned Player of the Match honours for his remarkable performance.
