Australia bounced back in ruthless fashion to crush Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs inside two days in the second Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc delivered an extraordinary match haul of 10 for 51 to lead the host nation to a rapid victory.
The victory allowed Australia to level the two-match series 1-1 following Bangladesh’s historic nine-wicket win in the opening Test in Darwin. In one of the shortest Test matches ever played on Australian soil, Australia bowled Bangladesh out for 64 and 95, neutralizing the visitors’ early series advantage.
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------------+
| Match Parameter | Official Summary |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------------+
| Fixture | Australia vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test (Mackay) |
| Match Duration | Finished inside 2 Days (August 22–23, 2026) |
| Bangladesh 1st Inn | 64 all out in 29 overs |
| Australia 1st Inn | 210 all out in 59.3 overs |
| Bangladesh 2nd Inn | 95 all out in 38.3 overs |
| Result | Australia won by an innings and 51 runs |
| Player of the Match | Mitchell Starc (6/12 & 4/39; 10/51 match haul) |
| Series Result | Series drawn 1-1 |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------------+
Australia Bounce Back in Mackay
After a shocking nine-wicket defeat in Darwin, Australia entered the second Test needing a victory to avoid a home series loss. Opting to field first after winning the toss, Australia needed less than two full days of play to dismantle the opposition.
Bangladesh were dismissed for a paltry 64 runs in their first innings before Australia responded with 210. Facing a 146-run first-innings deficit, Bangladesh failed to construct meaningful partnerships in their second attempt and fell for 95 runs, succumbing to an innings defeat.
Mitchell Starc Takes 10 Wickets
Mitchell Starc anchored Australia’s performance with a masterclass in high-pace swing bowling. The 36-year-old left-armer recorded match figures of 10/51. He claimed 6/12 in Bangladesh’s first innings, including a spell of five wickets in just 22 deliveries during an explosive opening session.
+--------------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
| Starc Performance | Figures & Achievements |
+--------------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
| 1st Innings | 10.0 overs, 6/12 (5-for in 22 balls) |
| 2nd Innings | 12.0 overs, 4/39 |
| Match Haul | 22.0 overs, 10/51 (4th career 10-wicket haul) |
| Series Awards | Player of the Match & Player of the Series (12 wkts)|
+--------------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
Starc backed up his first-innings spell by taking 4/39 in the second innings. His display was pivotal in preventing Bangladesh from settling on a bouncy Mackay surface.
Bangladesh Collapse for 64
Bangladesh’s opening innings unravelled in less than an hour on Day 1. Starc struck with the very first ball of the match, removing Shadman Islam for a duck. He followed up by dismissing Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, and Litton Das in short order, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 12/5.
Pat Cummins provided support by taking 3/25, while Josh Hazlewood chipped in with one wicket. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 64 in 29 overs, recording their lowest Test total after losing five wickets early.
Australia Also Struggle with the Bat
Australia’s batters also found conditions difficult on a pitch offering lateral movement and unpredictable bounce. The hosts slumped to 41/3 before Cameron Green and Steve Smith mounted a recovery. Green scored a patient 67, while Smith added 42. Lower-order resistance from Nathan Lyon, who remained 32 not out, pushed Australia to 210.
+--------------------+----------------------------------------------------+
| Performer | Performance |
+--------------------+----------------------------------------------------+
| Cameron Green | 67 runs off 105 balls (10 fours) |
| Steve Smith | 42 runs off 74 balls (6 fours) |
| Nathan Lyon | 32* runs off 41 balls |
| Shoriful Islam | 7/48 in 18.0 overs (Best away figures for BAN) |
+--------------------+----------------------------------------------------+
Bangladesh fast bowler Shoriful Islam delivered a career-best performance, taking 7/48. His seven-wicket haul kept Bangladesh in the fight by restricting Australia’s lead to 146 runs.
Starc Finishes the Job
Starting their second innings 146 runs behind, Bangladesh suffered another top-order breakdown. Starc struck twice in his opening spell, removing Shadman Islam and bowling Mominul Haque for a duck. Cummins then removed Tanzid Hasan, reducing Bangladesh to 39/3.
Najmul Hossain Shanto offered brief resistance with 31, but Nathan Lyon broke the stand. Starc returned to dismiss Taijul Islam to secure his 10-wicket match haul, and Lyon wrapped up the tail as Bangladesh were bowled out for 95.
Fourth 10-Wicket Haul of Starc’s Test Career
This match marked the fourth 10-wicket match haul of Starc’s Test career. His 10-wicket performance raised his total Test wicket tally to 445 scalps, moving him past South Africa’s Dale Steyn (439) into 10th place on the all-time Test wicket-takers list. Starc was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series after taking 12 wickets across the two Tests.
Bangladesh’s Historic Win in Darwin
The result in Mackay brought an end to a brief two-match series. Bangladesh had produced a historic nine-wicket win in Darwin during the first Test—their first-ever Test win in Australia. However, Australia’s swift bounce-back in the second Test ensured the series ended level at 1-1.
Shoriful Islam Shines Despite Defeat
Despite Bangladesh’s defeat, left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam produced a notable individual achievement. His 7/48 in Australia’s first innings became the best bowling figures by a Bangladesh bowler in an overseas Test match, surpassing Taijul Islam’s previous record.
What the Series Means for Both Teams
The drawn series showed Australia’s ability to respond to a major loss. For Bangladesh, winning a Test match in Australia represents progress in their red-ball journey, though their performance in Mackay emphasized the need for greater top-order consistency in bouncy conditions.
World Test Championship Impact
Both Tests formed part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle. With the series ending 1-1, both teams earned 12 WTC points. Australia preserved their position near the top of the WTC points percentage table, while Bangladesh retained valuable points from their victory in Darwin.
Conclusion
Australia’s victory in Mackay demonstrated their fast-bowling strength under pressure. Mitchell Starc’s 10-wicket match haul proved to be the decisive factor, enabling the hosts to level the series 1-1 after Bangladesh’s historic win in Darwin. Both teams emerge from the two-Test series with valuable WTC points and key takeaways for their upcoming red-ball campaigns.
References & Credits
- International Cricket Council (ICC): WTC 2025–27 Match Centre & Standings: Australia vs Bangladesh (August 2026).
- Cricket Australia: Official Match Report: Australia Beat Bangladesh by Innings and 51 Runs in Mackay (August 23, 2026).
- Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB): Official Media Release: Bangladesh Tour of Australia 2026 Series Wrap (August 23, 2026).
- ESPNcricinfo: Australia vs Bangladesh 2nd Test Full Match Scorecard & Statistics (August 23, 2026).
- Times of India / PTI: Mitchell Starc 10-Wicket Haul Levels Series for Australia Against Bangladesh (August 23, 2026).
- Reuters Sports: Starc Claims 10 Wickets as Australia Thrash Bangladesh Inside Two Days (August 23, 2026).
