Starc Takes Six as 18 Wickets Fall in Mackay Test Opener

Mitchell Starc took 6-12 as Australia bowled Bangladesh out for 64 before suffering another batting collapse on the opening day of the second Test in Mackay. Australia reached 165-8 by stumps, a lead of 101 runs, after 18 wickets fell during a dramatic day that kept both teams under pressure.

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BBC Sport reported that Starc struck with the first ball of the match, having Shadman Islam caught behind. The left-arm quick had collected five wickets within his first 22 deliveries as Bangladesh slumped to 12-5 on a lively surface. Captain Pat Cummins added 3-25, and the tourists were eventually dismissed in 34 overs.

Bangladesh recovered from 39-9 to reach 64, with Shoriful Islam top-scoring on 14. The total was their fourth-lowest in Test cricket, but their bowlers quickly created problems for Australia. Shoriful led the response with 6-35 as the hosts struggled to establish control despite securing a first-innings advantage.

Matt Renshaw, recalled in place of Jake Weatherald following Australia's defeat in the first Test in Darwin, made eight. Travis Head scored 22, while Marnus Labuschagne was bowled for four and extended his run without a Test century to 43 innings. Steve Smith and Cameron Green then steadied the innings with a 77-run partnership.

Smith was lbw for 42, triggering another slide in which Australia lost four wickets for 30 runs. Alex Carey made five and Beau Webster was dismissed first ball. Green, who scored a century in the second innings in Darwin, remained unbeaten on 51 at the close, with Nathan Lyon alongside him on 10 not out.

Starc's six-wicket haul also carried him past former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn into 10th place on the all-time Test wicket-taking list. He finished the day with 441 Test wickets. Australia hold the lead, but Shoriful's response ensured Bangladesh remain in the contest after their severe first-innings collapse.