Australia leveled the series against Bangladesh at 1-1 with a commanding innings and 51-run victory, concluding the match on the second day at Mackay. The hosts required only half an over following the Tea break to dismantle the remaining Bangladeshi resistance. Mitchell Starc spearheaded the bowling attack, adding 4 for 39 in the second innings to his earlier efforts, finishing the match with a total of ten wickets.
Resuming their overnight score of 165, Australia added 45 runs to reach a total of 210, establishing a first-innings lead of 146. Cameron Green, who started the day unbeaten on 51, anchored the lower-order recovery alongside Nathan Lyon. The pair shared a 38-run partnership for the ninth wicket, with Lyon contributing an unbeaten 32 to push the total past the 200-run mark. Shoriful Islam concluded with 7 for 48, marking the best bowling figures by a Bangladeshi pacer in Test cricket history.
Bangladesh’s second innings began disastrously as Starc struck in his second over, removing Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque for 1 and 0, respectively. Although captain Najmul Hossain Shanto prevented a hat-trick, Pat Cummins soon dismissed Tanzid Hasan Tamim, leaving the visitors struggling at 24/3. Shanto eventually fell for 31, representing the bulk of the team’s scoring at that stage, as the Australian bowlers maintained relentless pressure.
The collapse continued as the lower order failed to reach double figures. Litton Das fell to Starc, marking the bowler’s tenth scalp of the match, while Cummins dismissed Mehidy Hasan Miaz and Hasan Mahmud in consecutive overs. Nathan Lyon finalized the proceedings three balls into the final session, claiming three wickets to bundle Bangladesh out for 95.
Final match statistics: Bangladesh 64 (Mitchell Starc 6-12, Pat Cummins 3-25) and 95 (Najmul Hossain Shanto 31, Mushfiqur Rahim 29; Mitchell Starc 4-39, Pat Cummins 3-10, Nathan Lyon 3-25) were defeated by Australia 210 (Cameron Green 67, Steve Smith 42; Shoriful Islam 7-48) by an innings and 51 runs. The report also notes that securing a significant lead of 146 runs that proved more than sufficient against insipid Bangladesh, hosts Australia added 45 runs to their overnight 165 to finish with 210. The report also notes that striking off successive deliveries to send back Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque for 1 and 0 respectively, starc took the new ball and was among the wickets in his second over itself.
