Australia thrashes Bangladesh in Mackay to level series; WTC implications for India debated

Australia defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs in the second Test in Mackay, leveling the two-match series 1-1. The victory followed Australia’s nine-wicket loss to Bangladesh in the first Test in Darwin and represented a rapid response from the defending World Test Championship holders.

The result arrives as the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 moves into a pivotal phase. India moved to a 53.33 points percentage after defeating Sri Lanka in Galle and have played 10 matches, winning five, losing four and drawing one; they sit fifth in the WTC table and have seven Tests remaining. Australia, as defending WTC champions, had been seeking to recover from the shock defeat in Darwin and strengthen their place in the standings.

Bangladesh were dismissed for 64 in their first innings as Mitchell Starc produced figures of 6/12. That bowling collapse set the tone for a dominant Australian performance in Mackay.

Australia reached 210 in their only innings, with Cameron Green the highest scorer on 67 and Nathan Lyon contributing an unbeaten 32 late in the innings. Those runs provided a cushion that Australia would not relinquish.

In their second innings, Bangladesh managed 95 before being bowled out, handing Australia an innings and 51-run victory. The margin concluded the match without Australia needing to bat again.

The win strengthened Australia’s position in the WTC table, but the result does not directly alter India’s qualification mathematics. India’s recent victory in Galle left them with a 53.33 points percentage and, if they win the second Test in that series as well, the article says they will move close to the final; India can still qualify for the WTC 2025-27 final and, according to the report, there remain plenty of points available to them.

Australia are currently top of the WTC 2025-27 standings with 96 points and a PCT of 80.00%, and the two teams are scheduled to play five Tests in India next year — a series the article describes as likely to decide the fate of two finalists for the WTC.