Australia ended the opening day of the second Test on 164 for eight, but Bangladesh had plenty to take from a day that produced 18 wickets at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.
Shoriful Islam was at the centre of Bangladesh’s fightback. Returning to the Test side after recovering from a hamstring injury, the left-arm seamer took six wickets for 31 runs, his maiden Test five-wicket haul, to prevent Australia from turning their first-innings advantage into a commanding position.
Australia had reached 146 for five before Shoriful returned for another spell. He removed Beau Webster for a duck, Pat Cummins for four and then Mitchell Starc for three, completing his six-wicket haul as Australia slipped to 148 for eight.
Cameron Green remained unbeaten on 49 at the close, with Nathan Lyon on 10. Australia finished the day with a 100-run lead over Bangladesh.
Shoriful’s performance came after a morning dominated by Australia’s own left-arm quick. Mitchell Starc took six for 12, including five wickets in 22 balls, as Bangladesh were dismissed for 64 in only 34 overs.
Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bowl, and the decision paid off immediately. Starc removed Shadman Islam with the first ball before going on to dismiss Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das and Taijul Islam. Bangladesh were reduced to 12 for five before Mehidy Hasan Miraz and the lower order attempted to limit the damage.
Australia’s reply also began badly. Matthew Renshaw fell to Taskin Ahmed for eight before Shoriful struck twice in the same over, bowling Travis Head for 22 and Marnus Labuschagne for four.
Steve Smith and Green then rebuilt the innings with a 72-run partnership. Shoriful broke it by trapping Smith lbw for 42, with the Australia batter’s review unable to overturn the on-field decision.
Mehidy later removed Alex Carey before Shoriful completed his late burst. His six wickets kept Bangladesh within reach despite their own first-innings collapse.
The 18 wickets that fell made for an unusually busy opening day at a venue hosting its first Test. By stumps, Australia had the advantage, but Bangladesh had ensured the contest remained open going into the second day.
Scores after day one,
Bangladesh
First Innings- 64/10
Shoriful Islam 14 (19)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz 11(51)
Mitchell Starc 6/12
Pat Cummins 3/25
Australia
First Innings- 165/8
Cameron Green 51*(81)
Steve Smith 42 (74)
Shoriful Islam 6/35
Mehidy Hasan Miraz 1/4
