Mackay, August 23, 2026: Mitchell Starc produced a sensational 10-wicket match haul as Australia crushed Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs in the second and final Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena on Sunday, levelling the two-match series 1-1.
Starc spearheaded a devastating Australian pace attack that dismantled Bangladesh for just 64 in their first innings after the visitors were asked to bat first. Bangladesh lost nine wickets for 39 runs in 28.1 overs before Taijul Islam and Shoriful Islam offered brief resistance.
Shoriful, who top-scored for Bangladesh with 14 off 19 balls, including three boundaries, was eventually dismissed by Starc to bring the innings to an end. Four Bangladesh batters, including openers Shadman Islam and Tanzid Hasan, were dismissed for ducks, while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das also fell to Starc.
Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 11 each, while Hasan Mahmud contributed 10.
Starc finished with remarkable figures of 6-12 from 10 overs, while Australia captain Pat Cummins claimed three wickets and Josh Hazlewood took one.
Australia also endured a middle-order collapse but managed to post 210 in 52.3 overs, securing a first-innings lead of 146 runs.
Cameron Green provided the backbone of the Australian innings with a fighting 67 off 105 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries, while Steven Smith scored 42 from 74 balls, including six fours.
Nathan Lyon remained unbeaten on 32 from 62 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and a six.
Shoriful was Bangladesh’s standout bowler, claiming an impressive 7-48 from 15 overs. Taskin Ahmed, Taijul and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took one wicket each.
Bangladesh’s second innings proved no more successful as they were bowled out for 95 in 38.3 overs, handing Australia a comprehensive innings victory inside two days.
Shanto top-scored with 31 off 46 balls, including six boundaries, while Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 29 from 80 deliveries.
Starc completed his match-winning performance by taking 4-39 in the second innings, finishing with match figures of 10-51 from 20 overs. Cummins and Lyon claimed one wicket apiece as Australia wrapped up the emphatic victory.
The result levelled the two-Test series 1-1 after Bangladesh had stunned Australia in the opening Test in Darwin with a nine-wicket victory.
