Mitchell Starc claims 10 wickets as Australia crush Bangladesh to level series
Mitchell Starc claimed a magnificent 10-wicket match haul as Australia avenged their shock defeat to Bangladesh with an innings-and-51-run victory in Mackay to draw the series.
Dominant seamers decimate the tourists
The visitors were skittled for just 95 in their second innings inside 39 overs at the Great Barrier Reef Arena.
Nathan Lyon and captain Pat Cummins provided excellent support by taking three wickets apiece to wrap up the victory shortly after tea on day two.
The crushing result follows a stunning nine-wicket defeat for the world’s top-ranked side in Darwin last Sunday.
That initial loss was widely regarded as one of the greatest upsets in modern Test cricket.
“A lot of things went right these couple days and a lot of things went wrong last week,” said Cummins.
“We needed to bounce back, and it was a great couple of days from the lads. I thought everyone was sharp.”
Starc climbs the all-time rankings
Earlier in the day, the hosts extended their overnight total to 210, with Cameron Green top-scoring with 67 to secure a 146-run first-innings lead.
Bangladesh left-arm paceman Shoriful Islam was the standout performer for the tourists, finishing with impressive figures of 7-48.
However, a catastrophic second-innings start saw the Asian side slump to 24-3 within eight overs.
The Player of the Match and Series reflected on his side’s drastically improved performance following the collapse.
“Much better week. We knew we weren’t at our best, or what we expect of ourselves, in Darwin,” stated the 36-year-old.
The veteran fast bowler has now ascended to 10th on the all-time Test wicket-takers list with 445 dismissals.
He sits 126 victims behind his spin-bowling team-mate Lyon, who currently occupies sixth place globally.
Looking ahead to South Africa
The Australians will now turn their attention to a highly anticipated three-match tour against world Test champions South Africa in October.