Australia Take 101-Run Lead After Starc, Shoriful Six-Wicket Hauls
Starc Six-For, Shoriful Six-Fer As Australia Seize Lead
SYDNEY: (Sports Desk) – Australia fought back strongly in the second Test against Bangladesh in Mackay on Saturday, taking a 101-run lead after a dramatic opening day that produced 18 wickets.
The hosts, eager to respond after their nine-wicket defeat in the first Test in Darwin, won the toss and put Bangladesh in to bat. Mitchell Starc then delivered a devastating opening spell, ripping through the Bangladesh top order as the visitors were dismissed for just 64.
Starc claimed six wickets for 12 runs from 10 overs, including five wickets in only 22 balls during the morning session. His first-ball dismissal of Shadman Islam also made him the first bowler to take a wicket with the opening delivery of a Test on four occasions.
Bangladesh briefly looked in danger of their lowest-ever Test total, but Taijul Islam and Shoriful Islam added 25 runs for the final wicket. Taijul remained unbeaten on 11 while Shoriful made 14.
Australia’s response was far from comfortable. They reached 165-8 by stumps, leaving them 101 runs ahead, with Cameron Green unbeaten on 51 and Nathan Lyon on 10.
Shoriful, returning from injury after missing the opening Test, spearheaded Bangladesh’s fightback with a career-best 6-35. He removed Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
Smith appeared composed while making 42, but Shoriful eventually trapped him lbw. Carey was dismissed for five before Webster and Cummins fell in quick succession, leaving Australia under pressure.
Green, however, held firm to give Australia a slender advantage heading into the second day.
Starc said Australia’s success came from bowling fuller, using the short ball effectively and holding their catches. Josh Hazlewood praised his long-time pace-bowling partner, describing his performance as “phenomenal.”
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.