Bangladesh Crumble for 64 as Starc Runs Through Top Order
The visitors were in trouble from the first delivery after Australia chose to field. Shadman Islam edged Starc to gully, and within seven overs Bangladesh had lost five wickets for 12 runs.
Bangladesh’s batting collapsed in Mackay on Saturday, with Mitchell Starc taking 6 for 12 to bowl them out for 64 in the second Test against Australia.
The visitors were in trouble from the first delivery after Australia chose to field. Shadman Islam edged Starc to gully, and within seven overs Bangladesh had lost five wickets for 12 runs.
Four of the top six batters failed to score. Tanzid Hasan was caught behind the wicket for a duck, while Najmul Hossain Shanto was given out lbw after reviewing the decision. Mominul Haque made 9 before edging Starc to Green at gully, and Litton Das was trapped lbw after Australia successfully challenged the original not-out decision.
Starc had taken five wickets by the seventh over. He later returned to remove Shoriful Islam, who was caught behind for 14, completing his sixth five-wicket haul in Tests.
Mushfiqur Rahim managed only 5 before Pat Cummins bowled him, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz made 11. Hasan Mahmud also reached double figures with 10.
The innings did not end without some resistance. Taijul Islam and Shoriful added 25 for the 10th wicket, Bangladesh’s highest partnership of the innings. Taijul was unbeaten on 11 when the innings ended after 34 overs.
Cummins finished with 3 for 25 and Josh Hazlewood took one wicket.
Bangladesh’s total was built almost entirely around their lower order, with their last four batters contributing 36 runs.
Australia’s seamers found movement and inconsistent bounce early, with Hazlewood saying the breeze also helped the ball swing. The pitch appeared to settle as the innings went on.
Australia lost the first Test in Darwin by nine wickets. After Bangladesh’s collapse, they are now in position to dictate the second Test and draw the series.