The left-arm quick moved into the top ten all-time Test wicket-takers as Australia responded fiercely to their previous loss, reducing Bangladesh to 15-5.
Australia’s formidable fast bowling attack, spearheaded by a sensational Mitchell Starc, completely dismantled Bangladesh’s top order on Day 1 of the second men’s Test in Mackay. The visitors found themselves in a dire situation, reeling at a precarious 15 runs for five wickets after just ten overs.
Starc led the charge with an incredible five-wicket haul in a blistering spell that also saw him achieve a significant personal milestone. This dominant display marked a powerful and swift response from Australia, following their unexpected defeat in Darwin.
The rapid succession of dismissals came after captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl first, a strategic decision that was quickly and thoroughly vindicated by his pace attack, according to reporting by The Guardian - Sport.
Starc's Record-Breaking Opening Spell
Mitchell Starc began his assault from the very first delivery of the match, drawing an outside edge from Shadman Islam that was safely held by Cameron Green at gully. This marked the fourth time Starc has claimed a Test wicket with his opening ball.
The left-arm quick continued his destructive run, dismissing Tanzid Hasan with an aimless prod and then Bangladesh captain Shanto in rapid succession. Shanto fell victim to a fast, straight delivery confirmed LBW after a review, offering Starc a hat-trick opportunity.
Starc reached a significant career milestone, moving past South African legend Dale Steyn to secure tenth position on the list of all-time Test wicket-takers. His relentless pressure culminated in five wickets inside four overs, including the dismissals of Mominul Haque and Litton Das.
Despite a dropped catch by Beau Webster at third slip off Das, Starc’s early performance, which saw him take 4 wickets for just 4 runs from 18 deliveries at one point, set an overwhelming tone for Australia's ferocious start.
Bangladesh's Batting Collapse
Bangladesh’s batsmen struggled immensely against Australia's disciplined line and length, with several left-handers among the initial dismissals. Tanzid Hasan jabbed an aimless prod, while Mominul Haque edged a perfectly curving new ball to Cameron Green in the gully.
Bangladesh captain Shanto had expressed confidence earlier in the week, stating, “When you score against this kind of team, it gives you a lot of confidence going forward when we play in these kind of conditions or against this kind of bowling attack.” However, his team's start was anything but confident.
Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz then faced the daunting task of stabilizing the innings. Mushfiqur demonstrated textbook defensive technique against Josh Hazlewood, while Mehidy got off the mark with a couple of runs through mid-off.
Hazlewood and Cummins Apply Pressure
Josh Hazlewood shared the new ball and immediately found swing, causing considerable trouble for Bangladesh’s batsmen. He tested Mominul around his off stump and surprised Mushfiqur with extra bounce, suggesting a vastly different surface compared to the low, slow track rolled out in Darwin.
Captain Pat Cummins brought himself into the attack in the tenth over, maintaining a good line and length and looking for opportunities to add to his own statistics. His decision to field first proved to be a masterstroke, expertly capitalizing on the early conditions and the momentum generated by Starc.
Australia made one change to their lineup for the Test, with Matt Renshaw auditioning as the seventh opener since David Warner’s retirement. Nathan Lyon retained his spot, avoiding what would have been his first red-ball match miss in Australia in over a decade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who took the most wickets for Australia on Day 1?
Mitchell Starc was the standout bowler for Australia on Day 1 of the second Test, claiming five wickets in a devastating opening spell against Bangladesh.
What record did Mitchell Starc break?
During his fiery spell, Mitchell Starc surpassed South African fast bowler Dale Steyn to become the tenth-highest wicket-taker in the history of Test cricket.
What was Bangladesh's score after 10 overs?
Bangladesh were in a precarious position at 15 runs for five wickets after the first 10 overs on Day 1 of the second men's Test against Australia.
How did Australia respond to their previous loss?
Australia responded ferociously to their "Darwin humiliation" by dominating Bangladesh from the first ball of the second Test, with their bowlers delivering a strong, vindicating performance after captain Pat Cummins elected to field first.