18 Wickets on Day 1 in Mackay: Starc, Shoriful claim six-fors as Australia lead by 101

18 wickets fell on day one of the second Test between Australia and Bangladesh in Mackay as the hosts led by 101 runs at stumps. The first day belonged to the two left-arm quicks, Mitchell Starc and Shoriful Islam, as both claimed six wickets each in the highlight of the day. While Shoriful’s 14 at number 11 was also the highest score by a Bangladeshi batter, Cameron Green continued from where he left off in the last innings in Darwin, scoring an unbeaten 51. Bangladesh were all out for just 64 in the first innings, before reducing Australia to 165 for eight.

Australia won the toss and elected to field first. Mitchell Starc struck gold on the first ball of the match by dismissing opener Shadman Islam, caught in gully for a duck. That wicket also saw Starc surpass James Anderson for the most first-ball wickets in Tests: nine. Starc didn’t stop there as he picked four more in his first spell to reduce Bangladesh to 12 for five inside the first 40 minutes. He took just 22 balls to achieve his 19th Test five-for.

Captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood shared four wickets between them, before a 25-run last-wicket stand helped Bangladesh avoid getting folded for their lowest Test total. They, however, were bowled out for 64, with Starc picking the last wicket – his sixth for the day for just 12 runs.

Shoriful picks six in Mackay

Just when the Mackay crowd thought they were done with watching a left-arm masterclass on the opening day, Shoriful Islam entered. The medium-pacer bowled a tighter wicket-taking line and length and never allowed Australia to build on a partnership.

Following Matt Renshaw’s wicket to Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful picked three, including Travis Head (22), Marnus Labuschagne (4) and Steve Smith (42).

Mehidy Hasan Miraz removed Alex Carey for five before Shoriful returned to Australia’s tail and picked up three more wickets to complete his six-for so far in this innings.

Green, however, was Australia’s lone silver lining, hitting an unbeaten 51 with eight fours. Nathan Lyon stood like a rock, scoring 10 not out before stumps were called on day one of the second Test.