Bangladesh fight back after Starc's 6-12 as Australia reach 165-8

Mitchell Starc ripped through Bangladesh’s top order with 6-12, but Australia’s reply faltered as the visitors reached 165-8 at stumps in Mackay. Australia lead by 101 runs after a day that produced two six-wicket hauls.

Bangladesh chose to bat after winning the toss, yet their innings lasted only until 64 all out. Starc took the first five wickets in 22 balls before completing the innings soon after lunch, using the movement and bounce available from the surface.

Australia captain Pat Cummins had decided to field after winning the toss, with the conditions offering encouragement to the home side’s left-arm pace attack. Starc’s spell gave Australia an ideal start as they sought a stronger response following their nine-wicket defeat by Bangladesh in Darwin.

The hosts appeared to be building control through Cameron Green and Steve Smith. Their 77-run partnership ended when Shoriful Islam trapped Smith lbw for 44. The Bangladesh seamer had already removed Travis Head for 22 and Marnus Labuschagne for four.

Shoriful finished with 6-35, the best figures of his career and his first six-wicket haul in Test cricket. Recalled after missing the opening Test with a hamstring injury, he reduced Australia to 165-8 and gave Bangladesh a route back into the match after their poor first innings.

Green remained unbeaten on 51 at the close, with Nathan Lyon not out on 10. Australia’s lead still leaves them ahead, but Bangladesh’s late wickets prevented the hosts from turning Starc’s early destruction into a dominant position.

The result remains part of a two-Test series in which Australia trail 1-0 after the defeat in Darwin. Bangladesh now have the opportunity to limit the advantage created by Starc’s spell when play resumes.