Australia Bounce Back with 101-Run Lead Over Bangladesh
Australia took a 101-run lead over Bangladesh in the second Test, with 18 wickets falling on Day One. Mitchell Starc and Shoriful Islam both took six wickets in a fast-bowling masterclass.
The home team, led by Pat Cummins, won the toss in Mackay, Queensland on Saturday. Their pacemen feasted, determined to bounce back from a shock nine-wicket loss in the first Test at Darwin, Northern Territory.
Australia scratched out a 101-run lead over Bangladesh in the second Test, with 18 wickets falling on Day One after Mitchell Starc and Shoriful Islam both took six in a fast-bowling masterclass.
Home skipper Pat Cummins won the toss in Mackay, Queensland on Saturday, and his pacemen feasted, determined to bounce back from a shock nine-wicket loss in the first Test at Darwin, Northern Territory.
What Happened?
The Australian team took a 101-run lead over Bangladesh in the second Test, with 18 wickets falling on Day One. Mitchell Starc and Shoriful Islam both took six wickets in a fast-bowling masterclass.
Why it Matters for Australia
The Australian team's bounce back from a shock nine-wicket loss in the first Test at Darwin, Northern Territory, is a significant development. It shows that the team is capable of adapting to different situations and coming back stronger.
What Comes Next?
The Australian team will look to continue their winning streak in the upcoming matches. They will face Brazil at home on September 25, 2026.
League standing: 2nd in World Cup, 4 pts, 1W-1D-1L from 3 games, recent form LDLW.
Goals this season: 2 scored, 2 conceded (0 goal difference).
Title race: 2 points behind leaders USA.
Last result: Australia 1-1 Egypt (2026-07-03).
Recent form (last 5): 1W-3D-1L (DDLWD, most recent first).
Next fixture: vs Brazil (at home, 2026-09-25).
Australia made a stunning start when Starc removed Shadman Islam with the first ball of the day, tempting a leading edge that Green did well to hold in the gully.
It was the fourth time the veteran left-armer has got a wicket with the maiden ball of a Test – becoming the first player to do so – and the ninth time he has achieved the feat in the opening over.
The 36-year-old sent Bangladesh’s other opener Tanzid packing with the first ball of his second over, caught at slip by Webster, then trapped captain Najmul Hossain Shanto lbw with his next delivery.
It left Bangladesh reeling at 3-9.
The experienced Mushfiqur Rahim fended off Starc’s hat-trick ball, but he was unstoppable and grabbed a fourth wicket in his third over.
This time, Mominul Haque was the victim in a similar dismissal to Shadman, undone by late swing to send a thick edge to Green on nine.
Webster dropped a sitter at slip off Starc in his fourth over, but Das’s luck ran out next ball, out lbw on review as the visitors slumped to 5-12.
It was the 19th five-wicket haul for Starc and the sixth fastest of all time.
Starc holds the record after taking five in 15 balls against the West Indies in 2025.
Mushfiqur hung around for 41 deliveries but had no answer when Cummins came on, bowled for five.
Cummins struck again after lunch to dismiss Miraz on 11, taken brilliantly by Webster in the slips, before Hazlewood took care of Hasan Mahmud (10).
Bangladesh moved past their lowest Test score as the tailenders hit out, before Starc fittingly wrapped it up.
In reply, Australia stumbled to 165-8 at stumps with Darwin century-maker Cameron Green standing tall on 51 alongside Nathan Lyon (10).
Shoriful, who missed the first Test injured, was the hero with a career-best 6-35.
“It was just getting our lengths a bit fuller, using the bouncer a bit more and holding onto our catches,” said Starc.
Josh Hazlewood had nothing but praise for his long-term bowling partner, calling him “phenomenal”.
“He just gets on a roll sometimes. Amazing to watch,” he said.
Australia started well in reply but then lost three wickets for 19 runs.
Matt Renshaw, recalled for the first time since 2023 when opener Jake Weatherald was axed after Darwin, failed to repay selectors’ faith, gone for eight after edging Taskin Ahmed to Tanzid Hasan at third slip.
Fellow opener Travis Head (22) was bowled by Shoriful before he repeated the feat with under-pressure Marnus Labuschagne (four), who was desperate for a big score.
Steve Smith looked set, methodically compiling 42, but he was undone by a fuller-length Shoriful delivery that hit him on the pads.
Alex Carey (five) holed out off Mehidy Hasan Miraz before Shoriful struck again, trapping Beau Webster lbw without scoring and Cummins two balls later, caught by wicketkeeper Litton Das.
Fired up, he then bowled Starc for one to keep Bangladesh in the hunt.
“It’s what I did in practice, and I just wanted to do the same in the match,” said Shoriful.
