Mackay, 23 August (H.S.):

Powered by a devastating bowling performance from Mitchell Starc, Australia thrashed Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs in the second Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay on Sunday, levelling the two-match series 1-1. Bangladesh had won the opening Test by nine wickets, but Australia produced a dominant performance in the second match.

Starc was the chief architect of Australia’s victory. He claimed 10 wickets in the match and was named Player of the Match. He was also adjudged Player of the Series for his outstanding performance across the two Tests, finishing with 12 wickets.

The second Test concluded in just two days. Resuming their first innings at 165 for eight on Sunday, Australia were bowled out for 210, securing a crucial 146-run lead over Bangladesh. Cameron Green top-scored for Australia with 67 off 105 balls, while Steve Smith contributed 42, Nathan Lyon made 32 and Travis Head scored 22.

For Bangladesh, Shoriful Islam claimed seven wickets, while Taskin Ahmed, Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took one wicket each.

Facing a 146-run deficit in their second innings, Bangladesh once again struggled against Australia’s pace attack. The visitors were bowled out for just 95 in 38.3 overs, handing Australia an emphatic innings-and-51-run victory.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored with 31, while Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 29. No other Bangladesh batter managed to reach double figures.

For Australia, Starc took four wickets in the second innings, while captain Pat Cummins and Lyon claimed three wickets each.

Earlier, Bangladesh had been dismissed for just 64 in their first innings. Their start was disastrous, with six wickets falling for only 21 runs. Four of their top six batters failed to open their accounts, before the lower order helped the team reach 64.

Starc was Australia’s leading bowler in the first innings, taking six wickets, while Cummins claimed three and Josh Hazlewood took one.

Series Result

First Test: Bangladesh won by nine wickets.

Second Test: Australia won by an innings and 51 runs.

Two-Test Series: Drawn 1-1.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar