‘Long hill to climb’ for Aussies despite dominant two-day victory
Australia have put last week’s Darwin disaster behind them, sealing a dominant victory over Bangladesh inside two days of the second Test.
Mitchell Starc was the star of the show, taking match figures of 10-51 to lead the hosts to victory in Mackay by an innings and 51 runs.
Mitchell Starc was on fire in Mackay. Getty Images
The big left-arm quick was at his dominant best on Saturday, ripping through the Bangladesh top order before backing it up on Sunday.
Starc managed to send Shadman Islam packing in his second over and made it two wickets in as many balls, knocking over Monimul Haque for a golden duck.
He took his third wicket of the second innings when Litton Das was out for zero – finishing the series without getting off the mark for Bangladesh.
Starc, 36, admitted the first Test performance against Bangladesh wasn’t up to scratch but was happy to lead his team to a bounce-back win, and wants to continue donning the baggy green for as long as possible.
“Much better week. We weren’t at our best or what we expect of ourselves in Darwin. What we expected this week is what we got,” Starc said post-match.
“I’ve still got a way to go. It’s still hanging together, I thoroughly enjoy being part of this group and Test cricket will always be the pinnacle for me.
“I’d like to milk my body for all I can for Test cricket and that’s how it will remain.”
Aussie captain Pat Cummins was at his terrorising best in the second innings, bowling some rapid fast-pitched bowling that the Tigers batters couldn’t handle.
Cummins finished with 3-10 off 10 overs, including one from a half-tracker to Mehidy Hasan Miraz that ended up in the hands of wicket-keeper Alex Carey.
“He will be disappointed there. It’s probably the worst ball that Cummins has bowled today,” Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket.
Attention now turns to a gruelling schedule for the Test side, with a looming tour of South Africa – the first since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal – before a home series against New Zealand in the home summer, a five-game series on the road against India and the eagerly anticipated Ashes in the middle of 2027.
Marnus Labuschagne. Getty Images
“It’s a long hill to climb,” Brendon Julian said of the schedule, while former captain Allan Border conceded there was “some really tough cricket” on the horizon.
The schedule against strong opposition comes at a time when the Australian batting order face immense scrutiny to perform.
Marnus Labuschagne remains under huge pressure to keep his No.3 spot to face the Proteas, while opener Matt Renshaw failed to perform in his return.
The shining light against Bangladesh was the much-maligned Cameron Green, who backed up his century in Darwin with a well-made 67 in the second Test.
