A week ago, Bangladesh had reached a new high in their Test history. For the first time, they secured an international match win in Australia, stunning the hosts with a nine-wicket victory in Darwin. The defeat was labelled an “embarrassment” and among the worst Australia had suffered in recent times. But the hosts were quick to put that humiliation behind them, crushing Bangladesh inside two days in the second and final Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.
After the batting highs in Darwin, Bangladesh suffered not one but two collapses in Mackay. They were bowled out for just 64 on Day 1, narrowly avoiding the lowest total in Test history. Then, after conceding a 146-run first-innings lead, the visitors were dismissed for just 95 on the following morning.
It was the first time in Bangladesh’s history that they had been bowled out for under 100 in both innings of a Test. It was also the first time any team had suffered two such collapses in a Test in 21 years.
The wrecking ball was Mitchell Starc, who claimed a 10-wicket match haul for the fourth time in his 107-Test career. After taking a wicket with the first ball of the match on Saturday on his way to a 22-ball five-wicket haul, Starc had to wait a little longer on Sunday before striking twice in his second over, removing opener Shadman Islam and No. 3 Mominul Haque with consecutive deliveries.
The left-arm quick finished with 6/12 in the first innings and followed it up with 4/39 in the second, claiming his 10th wicket just before tea. Nathan Lyon needed only two balls after the break to wrap things up, completing Australia’s innings-and-51-run victory.
Starc, who was named Player of the Match and Player of the Series, also moved into the top 10 wicket-takers in Test history, overtaking South African great Dale Steyn. He now has 445 Test wickets, placing him fourth among Australian bowlers and fifth among fast bowlers overall.
The innings victory also gave Australia their second-shortest Test win at home and the fourth-shortest Test match in history. It was also the third time in their last seven Tests that a match in Australia had been completed inside two days, following the rapid finishes in Perth and Melbourne during the Ashes.
