Bangladesh folded for 64 as Starc takes 6/12 in Mackay second Test

Bangladesh were bowled out for 64 in the first innings of the second Test against Australia at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay on August 22, 2026, with Mitchell Starc finishing with figures of 6/12 from 10 overs.

The match followed Australia’s unexpected defeat in the first Test in Darwin, where Bangladesh secured a nine-wicket victory — their first-ever win on Australian soil. Both sides entered the Mackay Test under pressure: Australia seeking to respond after the loss and Bangladesh aiming to build confidence in this World Test Championship meeting.

Starc struck immediately, removing Shadman Islam for a duck with the first ball of the match and contributing to a collapse that saw Bangladesh at 12/5 at one stage. He recorded the second-fastest five-wicket haul of his Test career in 22 balls, his previous quickest being a 15-ball five against the West Indies in 2025.

From the other end Josh Hazlewood maintained tight lines and lengths, and the Australian pace attack repeatedly troubled the Bangladesh top order. The combination of Starc’s pace and the new-ball shine repeatedly forced early wickets and left the visitors unable to rebuild.

The Mackay surface offered markedly different conditions to Darwin; the venue in Mackay proved more helpful to bowlers than the earlier pitch, and 18 wickets fell on the first day. Australian captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to use the pitch conditions to apply early pressure on the touring side.

Australian batsmen also faced difficulties, but a partnership between Steve Smith and Cameron Green steadied their innings. Bangladesh’s left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam returned figures of 6/35 during Australia’s time at the crease.

Bangladesh are currently placed fourth in the ICC World Test Championship points table, while Australia sit at the top. The lowest Test total in Bangladesh’s history remains 43, recorded against the West Indies in 2018.