Starc claims five wickets in first four overs as Bangladesh collapse in Mackay

Mitchell Starc took five wickets in his first four overs for Australia on day one of the second Test against Bangladesh at the Great Barrier Reef Stadium in Mackay, Queensland on August 22, 2026, reducing Bangladesh to 12 for five.

Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to field, saying: “The wicket looks pretty good but if there is any moisture in it it might be this morning.” The match began under sunny skies at the Great Barrier Reef Stadium in Mackay, a coastal city in Queensland about 800 kilometers (500 miles) north of Brisbane.

Shadman Islam fell to the first ball of the match after edging a delivery to Cameron Green at gully. In Starc’s next over Tanzid Hasan drove loosely and nicked to Beau Webster in the slips, and Najmul Hossain Shanto was trapped lbw on the following ball, leaving Bangladesh 9 for three at that stage.

Starc claimed his fourth scalp when Mominul Haque drove at a fuller, wider delivery and nicked to Green in the gully. He then removed Litton Das to complete five wickets in his opening four-over spell, with both Shanto and Litton Das recorded as ducks in the innings.

The left-armer produced the burst on what the match report described as a bouncy, Gabba-style surface, using swing bowling to exploit the conditions. Photographs circulated of Starc celebrating after dismissing Litton Das during play on day one.

Australia named a 13-man squad earlier in the week with one change for the second Test: Jake Weatherald was dropped and Matt Renshaw was recalled and selected to open the batting following Australia’s surprising loss to Bangladesh in the first Test in Darwin. Bangladesh made one change, with Shoriful Islam coming in for Ebadot Hossain.

Bangladesh’s first Test win in Australia had prompted calls for a selector overhaul, but the report notes that selectors retained the bulk of an aging squad despite Bangladesh being outplayed in Darwin, where Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Tanzid Hasan took advantage of the tropical conditions.

The match is the second Test between the sides and is listed under the ICC Test Championship category.