Australia bite back as 18 wickets fall on day one of second Bangladesh Test

Australia scratched out a 101-run lead over Bangladesh in the second Test, with 18 wickets falling on Day One after Mitchell Starc and Shoriful Islam both took six in a fast-bowling masterclass.

Home skipper Pat Cummins won the toss in Mackay, Queensland on Saturday, and his pacemen feasted, determined to bounce back from a shock nine-wicket loss in the first Test at Darwin, Northern Territory.

They skittled Bangladesh for 64 with an irrepressible Starc the destroyer in an incredible spell of swing and seam, taking five wickets in 22 balls during the morning session to end with 6-12 from 10 overs.

Only a last-wicket partnership of 25 between Taijul Islam (11 not out) and Shoriful (14) took Bangladesh past their lowest Test score of 43, which came against the West Indies in 2018.

In reply, Australia stumbled to 165-8 at stumps with Darwin century-maker Cameron Green standing tall on 51 alongside Nathan Lyon (10). Shoriful, who missed the first Test injured, was the hero with a career-best 6-35.

“It was just getting our lengths a bit fuller, using the bouncer a bit more and holding onto our catches,” said Starc.

Josh Hazlewood had nothing but praise for his long-term bowling partner, calling him “phenomenal”.

“He just gets on a roll sometimes. Amazing to watch,” he said.