Starc and Shoriful set record with six-wicket hauls as Australia crush Bangladesh in Mackay

Key points

• Mitchell Starc took 6 for 12 and Shoriful Islam took 6 for 35 on the first day, the fourth time two bowlers have achieved six-wicket hauls in a men’s Test first day.
• Starc took a wicket on the first ball of the Test, his fourth such instance, surpassing Pedro Collins and approaching Richard Hadlee’s record of six.
• Bangladesh’s total of 64 was their lowest against Australia and the lowest first-innings total in a men’s Test in Australia since 1932.
• Australia won by an innings and 51 runs, with Starc taking 10 wickets in the match and Shoriful taking 7.
• Australia’s batting was poor, with Marnus Labuschagne failing to score a century in 43 innings, but Cam Green’s 51 not out helped stabilize the innings.

Background

This match followed Australia’s shock defeat by Bangladesh in the first Test in Darwin. Starc had previously taken a five-wicket haul in just 15 balls against the West Indies, and his performance in Mackay further solidified his status as one of the top Test wicket-takers. Bangladesh’s tour was notable for their strong performance in Darwin, but they struggled to adapt to the conditions in Mackay.

How outlets are covering it

Cricinfo emphasized the historical significance of Starc and Shoriful’s six-wicket hauls, noting it was the third time two left-arm pacers achieved this in the same Test. The Guardian highlighted the emotional aspect of the match, praising Bangladesh’s fight despite the defeat and noting Starc’s move into the top 10 Test wicket-takers. BBC focused on the statistical records, including Starc’s first-ball wicket and Bangladesh’s low total, while also noting Australia’s batting struggles. The Daily Telegraph was inaccessible due to a bot challenge, so no perspective could be extracted.

Why it matters

The match demonstrated the impact of high-quality bowling on Test cricket outcomes, with Starc and Shoriful’s performances setting new records. It also highlighted the challenges faced by teams adapting to different pitch conditions, as seen in Bangladesh’s collapse in Mackay. The result reinforced Australia’s dominance in the series and the importance of consistent performance in Test cricket.

What to watch

Australia and Bangladesh will continue their tour, with Starc and Cummins set to play in the one-day tour to South Africa before the Test matches in October. The series will likely influence future touring schedules, as Bangladesh’s captain Shanto called for more regular Test opportunities.