Starc and Shoriful Trade Six-Wicket Hauls in Chaotic Mackay Test

Mitchell Starc and Shoriful Islam produced six-wicket hauls on a dramatic opening day of the second Test in Mackay, where 18 wickets fell and Australia closed on 165-8. The hosts still held a 101-run lead after dismissing Bangladesh for 64, but their own batting struggles prevented them from taking complete control.

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Reuters reported via The Guardian that Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bowl on the bouncy surface. Starc then dismantled Bangladesh with swing, taking the first five wickets in a span of 22 balls. The 36-year-old left-arm fast bowler had five wickets before lunch and finished with 6-12 as the tourists were bowled out shortly after the interval.

Bangladesh responded through recalled left-arm paceman Shoriful, who had missed the first Test in Darwin with a hamstring strain. He claimed his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket and ended the day with 6-35, giving Bangladesh a route back into the match after their first-innings collapse. His spell meant the momentum shifted again during the final two sessions rather than Australia converting its dominant start into an unchallenged position.

Shoriful removed Travis Head for 22 and Marnus Labuschagne for four as Australia’s top order faltered. Steve Smith and Cameron Green then put together a 77-run partnership, but Shoriful broke the stand by trapping Smith lbw for 44. His continued success left Australia eight wickets down by the close.

Green remained unbeaten on 51 at stumps, with Nathan Lyon not out on 10. Their partnership helped stretch Australia’s advantage beyond 100 runs, an important cushion on a day when both teams found sustained batting difficult against the left-arm quicks. Australia nevertheless finished the day with only two first-innings wickets in hand.

The match remains finely poised despite Australia’s sizeable first-innings lead. Bangladesh entered the contest 1-0 ahead in the two-match series following a nine-wicket victory in Darwin, leaving Australia needing a win in Mackay to avoid a series defeat. Day one established the hosts’ advantage, but Shoriful’s intervention ensured Bangladesh retained a chance to respond.