Mitchell Starc Takes 10 Wickets as Australia Levels Bangladesh Series

Australia defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs in the second Test in Mackay on Sunday, leveling the two-match series 1-1.

Paceman Mitchell Starc starred with a match haul of 10 wickets for 51 runs, securing his fourth career 10-wicket Test performance. Starc took 6-12 in Bangladesh's first innings, which saw them bowled out for just 64. He followed this with 4-39 in the second innings as Bangladesh collapsed to 95 all out. Captain Pat Cummins contributed 3-10 in the second innings, and Nathan Lyon took 3-25.

Australia's victory was completed inside two days, making it only the 28th two-day Test in the 2632-match history of Test cricket. This marks the third Test involving Australia in their last seven to finish within two days. Australia's first innings total of 210 was the fourth-lowest in Test history to secure an innings win. All-rounder Cameron Green followed his century in the first Test in Darwin with a gutsy 67 in the second Test, helping Australia to a 146-run lead.

Paceman Shoriful Islam claimed 7-48 for Bangladesh, marking the best figures by a Bangladeshi bowler in an away Test. The win comes after Bangladesh had stunned Australia with a nine-wicket victory in the opening Test in Darwin, their first-ever Test win Down Under. Despite the loss in Mackay, Bangladesh climbed three places to No.6 in the latest ICC Test rankings, their highest-ever position.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto called reaching No. 6 a huge achievement. Former Australia opener Justin Langer criticized the increasing frequency of two-day Test matches, calling the trend unacceptable and citing financial consequences for Cricket Australia. He also attributed the issue to shortcomings in batting technique.