MACKAY, Australia : Mitchell Starc ripped through Bangladesh with a career-best burst of six wickets in 12 balls as Australia bowled the tourists out for 64 before reaching 50 for three at tea on the opening day of the second test in Mackay on Saturday.
Australia, seeking to level the two-match series after their shock nine-wicket defeat in Darwin, trailed by just 14 runs at the break, with Steve Smith unbeaten on six and Cameron Green on one.
Starc took five wickets in 22 balls, including the first five Bangladesh wickets, to reduce the tourists to 12 for five after 6.4 overs. His figures of 6-12 included the sixth-fastest five-wicket haul in test history.
The left-arm quick struck with the first delivery of the match when Shadman Islam edged to Cameron Green at gully. Tanzid Hasan then nicked a loose drive to Beau Webster in the slips before captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was trapped lbw by the next ball.
Mominul Haque made nine before edging Starc to Green at gully, while wicketkeeper Litton Das was trapped lbw to give the paceman his fifth wicket.
Starc returned to dismiss Shoriful Islam for 14 and complete the innings after Australia captain Pat Cummins had won the toss and opted to field on a bouncy surface prepared with Gabba-like characteristics.
Cummins finished with 3-25, bowling Mushfiqur Rahim for five and having Mehidy Hasan Miraz caught in the slips for 11. Josh Hazlewood took the other wicket.
AUSTRALIA STUMBLE
Australia’s reply began positively before Bangladesh struck back late in the session.
Recalled opener Matt Renshaw made eight before edging Taskin Ahmed to the slips, while Travis Head was bowled for 22 by Shoriful.
The left-armer then removed Marnus Labuschagne for four, continuing the batter’s difficult run of form and leaving Australia 47-3.
Shoriful was brought into the side after recovering from a hamstring injury, replacing Ebadot Hossain. Renshaw returned to the test side in place of Jake Weatherald, who was dropped after the Darwin defeat.
The second test is being played at Great Barrier Reef Arena, which is hosting its first match at the highest level and becoming Australia’s 12th test venue.
Bangladesh lead the series 1-0 after their historic victory in Darwin, their first test win on Australian soil.
