Australia produced a dominant response to their shock defeat in the first Test, beating Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs in the second match at Great Barrier Reef Stadium in Mackay on Sunday.
The comprehensive victory helped the hosts level the two-match Test series at 1-1 after Bangladesh had recorded a memorable nine-wicket win in the opening Test in Darwin.
Australia’s experienced bowling attack proved too strong for Bangladesh on a lively, bouncy pitch, with veteran fast bowler Mitchell Starc and spinner Nathan Lyon playing leading roles in the emphatic victory.
The match ended on the second day, with Bangladesh unable to recover from another disappointing batting performance.
Starc claims 10 wickets in the match
Mitchell Starc was the standout performer for Australia, finishing with impressive match figures of 10 wickets for 51 runs.
The left-arm fast bowler took four wickets in Bangladesh’s second innings, while Lyon claimed three as the visitors were dismissed for just 95 runs in 38.3 overs.
Bangladesh had already suffered a major batting collapse in their first innings, when they were bowled out for only 46 runs.
Facing a difficult target of 146 runs simply to make Australia bat again, the visitors began their second innings under considerable pressure.
By lunch on the second day, Bangladesh had slipped to 39 for three, and their innings deteriorated further during the middle session.
At tea, they were struggling at 95 for eight before Lyon completed the job shortly after the break.
Lyon finishes off Bangladesh
Nathan Lyon took the final two Bangladesh wickets in the space of three balls immediately after tea to seal Australia’s innings victory.
The experienced spinner’s contribution, combined with Starc’s match-winning pace bowling, ensured Bangladesh were unable to extend the contest.
Australia’s attack showed its effectiveness on a surface that offered significant assistance to bowlers, while the result also highlighted Bangladesh’s struggles with the bat in both innings.
Australia Reeling After ‘Most Humbling’ Test Defeat to Bangladesh
The hosts had been bowled out for 210, but Bangladesh were unable to capitalise on the opportunity.
Their first-innings total of 46 and second-innings score of 95 proved insufficient to challenge Australia, whose bowlers dominated the match from start to finish.
Middle stump smashed, 10 wickets for the match for Mitchell Starc ⭐️#MilestoneMoment | @NRMAInsurance | #AUSvBAN pic.twitter.com/eBQ1ku0Tp8
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 23, 2026
Green’s 67 leads Australia’s batting
All-rounder Cameron Green was Australia’s leading run-scorer with 67 runs.
Speaking after the match, Green described it as a good series and praised Australia’s response following the previous week’s disappointment.
Australia’s performance in Mackay allowed the team to quickly recover from the nine-wicket defeat in Darwin and finish the series on level terms.
Batting concerns remain ahead of South Africa tour
Despite the emphatic victory, Australia may still have concerns about their batting ahead of a challenging three-Test tour of South Africa in October.
Australia were dismissed for 210 in their only innings in Mackay, suggesting that their batting lineup still faces questions despite the team’s overall dominance in the second Test.
South Africa are the reigning World Test Championship winners, and the upcoming series is expected to present Australia with a significantly tougher challenge.
Nevertheless, the victory in Mackay provides Australia with a strong finish to the Bangladesh series.
The hosts’ experienced bowling attack, led by Starc’s 10 wickets and supported by Lyon, proved decisive as Australia completed a remarkable turnaround from the disappointment of the first Test to level the series 1-1.
