Mackay, 22 August (H.S.): Bowlers dominated the opening day of the second Test between Australia and Bangladesh in Mackay, with 18 wickets falling in a dramatic day of cricket. Left-arm pacers Mitchell Starc and Shoriful Islam claimed six wickets each as Australia bowled Bangladesh out for just 64 before reaching 165 for eight at stumps to take a 101-run first-innings lead.

After winning the toss, Australia captain Pat Cummins opted to field first. Starc made an immediate impact, dismissing Shadman Islam off the very first ball of the match with a catch in the gully. He then tore through Bangladesh’s top order as the visitors lost five wickets for just 12 runs within the first seven overs.

Starc completed five wickets within just 22 balls, with Mushfiqur Rahim denying him a chance to claim a hat-trick. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud briefly steadied the innings, taking Bangladesh to 35 for six at lunch.

After the interval, Cummins claimed two more wickets, while Josh Hazlewood also struck once. Starc then returned to wrap up the lower order, finishing with remarkable figures of six wickets for just 12 runs from 10 overs.

With his six-wicket haul, Starc reached the milestone of 440 Test wickets, surpassing South African great Dale Steyn’s tally of 439 wickets.

Bangladesh were eventually dismissed for 64 in 34 overs, with Shoriful Islam top-scoring with 14. It became Bangladesh’s fourth-lowest total in Test cricket.

Smith-Green partnership steadies Australia

Australia also lost early wickets in reply, with Matthew Renshaw, Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne failing to make significant contributions. Steve Smith and Cameron Green then combined to rebuild the innings.

The pair added 77 runs for the fourth wicket from 108 balls before Smith was dismissed for 42. His departure triggered another collapse in the Australian innings.

Shoriful Islam trapped Smith lbw for 42 to provide Bangladesh with a crucial breakthrough. Alex Carey was then dismissed at 145, after which Australia lost three wickets for just three runs.

Shoriful removed Beau Webster and Pat Cummins without scoring before dismissing Starc to complete his own six-wicket haul.

Green holds firm

At the other end, Cameron Green remained composed and anchored the Australian innings. Displaying excellent temperament on a challenging surface, he remained unbeaten on 51 to help Australia reach 165 for eight by the close of play.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 64 (Shoriful Islam 14; Mitchell Starc 6/12, Pat Cummins 3/25); Australia 165/8 (Cameron Green 51*, Steve Smith 42; Shoriful Islam 6/35). Australia lead by 101 runs.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar