Bangladesh’s batters endured a difficult opening session at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, losing five wickets inside the first hour of the second Test against Australia. Four of the dismissed batters failed to score.
Bangladesh arrived with confidence after their historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin, their first Test win on Australian soil. But Australia responded strongly in the second Test, with captain Pat Cummins choosing to bowl after winning the toss on a pitch offering plenty of assistance to the pace bowlers.
Mitchell Starc made an immediate impact, taking a wicket with the first ball of the match. Shadman Islam edged the delivery to Cameron Green at gully and was dismissed for a golden duck. It was the fourth time Starc had taken a wicket with the first ball of a Test match.
The collapse continued soon afterwards. Tanzid Hasan Tamim was dismissed for a duck by Starc in the third over, while Bangladesh’s top order struggled to cope with the Australian pace attack. By the early stages of the innings, half of Bangladesh’s batting line-up had returned to the dressing room.
Starc was the main threat, claiming five wickets for just five runs in four overs. He completed his five-wicket haul in 22 balls, adding another landmark to an already impressive Test career. He became the fastest bowler to claim a fifer against Bangladesh.
Bangladesh were reduced to 21 for six. Experienced batters Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz tried to rebuild. But Mushfiqur got bowled by Pat Cummins. A 42-ball struggle ended with just five runs.
The second Test is being played at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, which is hosting its first Test match.
