MACKAY: Mitchell Starc produced a devastating display of fast bowling as Australia dismissed Bangladesh for just 64 on the opening day of the second Test in Mackay on Saturday.
Australia, seeking a strong response after their shock nine-wicket defeat in the first Test in Darwin, elected to bowl after captain Pat Cummins won the toss.
Starc immediately justified the decision, removing Shadman Islam with the first delivery of the match as Cameron Green completed the catch at gully.
INSANE COMEBACK FROM AUSTRALIA. 🥶
– With the series, On-Line bowled Bangladesh out for just 64. ✅ pic.twitter.com/mUqeGEFg67
— Salman. (@TsMeSalman1_) August 22, 2026
The 36-year-old became the first bowler to take a wicket with the opening ball of a Test on four occasions.
Starc struck again with the first delivery of his second over, dismissing Tanzid Hasan before trapping Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto lbw with the next ball.
Bangladesh were suddenly 9-3 in only the third over.
Starc tears through Bangladesh
Mominul Haque became Starc’s fourth victim after edging a swinging delivery to Green for nine.
Litton Das was then given lbw following a review, completing Starc’s five-wicket haul in only 22 balls and leaving Bangladesh struggling at 12-5.
It was the 19th five-wicket haul of Starc’s Test career and the sixth-fastest in the format. He already holds the record for the fastest, having taken five wickets in 15 balls against the West Indies in Jamaica in 2025.
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Bangladesh limped to lunch at 35-6 after Cummins bowled Mushfiqur Rahim for five.
Cummins struck again after the interval, removing Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 11, before Josh Hazlewood dismissed Hasan Mahmud for 10.
A 25-run final-wicket partnership between Taijul Islam and Shoriful Islam helped Bangladesh avoid their lowest-ever Test total of 43, recorded against the West Indies in 2018.
Starc eventually ended the innings by dismissing Shoriful for 14, finishing with exceptional figures of 6-12.
Taijul remained unbeaten on 11 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 64, handing Australia complete control early in the second Test.
