Mitchell Starc produced a sensational bowling performance as Australia bounced back from their shock defeat in Darwin to thrash Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs in the second Test in Mackay on Sunday. The emphatic victory, completed inside two days, allowed Australia to level the two-match series 1-1.
Starc was the star of the show, finishing with 10 wickets in the match as Australia's pace attack completely destroyed the Bangladesh batting lineup.
The veteran left-arm quick took six wickets in the first innings before adding four more in the second to finish with match figures of 10 for 51.
Starc Runs Riot In Mackay
Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first, and Starc made an immediate impact by dismissing Shadman Islam with the very first delivery of the Test.
The left-armer then tore through Bangladesh's top order, taking five wickets in just 22 balls. He eventually finished the innings with outstanding figures of 6/12 from 10 overs, including six maidens, as Bangladesh were bowled out for just 64.
It was a remarkable response from Starc after Bangladesh had stunned Australia by nine wickets in the opening Test in Darwin.
Bangladesh Fight Back With Shoriful Islam
Despite being bowled out cheaply, Bangladesh hit back with the ball.
Shoriful Islam, returning after missing the first Test with a hamstring injury, produced a sensational spell of his own. He claimed six wickets as Australia's batting order struggled on a difficult Mackay surface.
Australia were reduced to 165/8 at one stage before eventually being bowled out for 210, giving the hosts a first-innings lead of 146 runs. Cameron Green top-scored with 67, continuing his impressive form after his century in the first Test.
Bangladesh Collapse Again
With a substantial deficit to overcome, Bangladesh needed a strong batting performance in their second innings. Instead, Starc and Australia's bowlers once again ripped through the visitors.
Bangladesh lost wickets regularly and were eventually dismissed for just 95. Starc claimed four wickets in the innings, while Nathan Lyon also played a key role with three wickets.
The visitors' two innings produced scores of just 64 and 95, highlighting the extent of their batting collapse.
Australia Complete Two-Day Rout
Australia needed only 38.3 overs to bowl Bangladesh out in their second innings and seal an innings-and-51-run victory.
Nathan Lyon completed the win shortly after tea, taking two wickets in three balls as Bangladesh's resistance finally ended. The result was Australia's biggest response to their nine-wicket defeat in Darwin and ensured the two-Test series finished level at 1-1.
The Mackay Test was also one of the shortest Tests played in Australia, with the contest finishing inside two days after a remarkable 29 wickets fell across the match.
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Starc's 10-Wicket Haul Headlines Series Leveller
Starc's performance was undoubtedly the defining feature of the match. His 10 wickets completely changed the contest after Bangladesh had won the opening Test and threatened to claim a historic series victory.
Australia's batting concerns, however, remain despite the emphatic result, with several of their top-order batters struggling to make an impact in Mackay.
For Bangladesh, the series will still be remembered for their historic victory in Darwin, while Australia will take confidence from their dominant response in Mackay.
The two-Test series ends 1-1, with Starc's devastating 10-wicket haul ensuring Australia finished the contest on a high.