Updated ,first published
Mackay: It took just 43 minutes for Australia’s first Test capitulation in Darwin to feel like a distant memory, as Mitchell Starc tore the heart out of the Bangladeshi top order with an opening spell masterclass to begin the second Test.
For the 28th time in his Test career, the 36-year-old claimed a wicket in his first over of an innings – catching Shadman Islam’s outside edge with a full, out-swinging delivery which flew to Cameron Green in the gully with his opening delivery.
Skipper Pat Cummins’ decision to bowl after winning the toss looked better by the over, as Starc struck first ball of his second over as well – Tanzid Hasan unable to dig out a full ball outside off, and instead guiding it off the edge to Beau Webster in the slips.
Starc was on a tear. His very next ball, he had trapped Najmul Hossain Shanton lbw – with even the Bangladesh captain’s challenge ultimately deemed to be clipping leg stump based on the umpire’s call.
The left-arm spearhead was in a mood to impress the Great Barrier Reef Arena crowd, drawing a low edge from Mominul Haque in his third over, with Green diving low to his left to claim an impressive catch.
When a vicious Starc bouncer caught Litton Das high on the bat in his fourth over, only for Webster to drop an absolute sitter in the slips, it appeared maybe Bangladesh had some fortune going their way.
But that hope was eradicated next ball when Starc trapped him on the pads, and despite the appeal being turned down, replays confirmed the ball had pitched in line and was hitting to deliver Starc a five-wicket haul in just 22 balls.
It means Australia’s under-siege batting line-up may not have to wait long to launch their redemption mission after their failings in Darwin, with Bangladesh reeling at 5-12 inside 10 overs.
Trailing 1-0 in the series on the back of their shock nine-wicket defeat to Bangladesh, the Australians stepped onto Great Barrier Reef Arena with just the one change – Queensland’s Matt Renshaw replacing Jake Weatherald to open the batting alongside Travis Head.
Aside from Steve Smith’s first innings 71 and Cameron Green’s drought-breaking century in the second dig, Australia were humbled across all five days by the typical Test cricket minnows, and will be seeking redemption in north Queensland.
Marnus Labuschagne in particular will need a big score once his time at the crease comes, managing scores of one and 31 in the Northern Territory, which led coach Andrew McDonald to issue a warning that the 32-year-old “needs runs”.
Bangladesh made one change to their triumphant line-up, with left-arm quick Shoriful Islam coming in for Ebadot Hossain.
Second Test XIs
Australia:Â Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh HazlewoodÂ
Bangladesh:Â Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam
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