Mackay Carnage: Starc Destroys Bangladesh with Fiery Six-Wicket Spell on Day 1

Redemption in Test cricket comes fast when you have Mitchell Starc breathing fire. Stung by their shock defeat in the opening Test at Darwin, Pat Cummins’ men arrived in Mackay with a point to prove. What followed was an absolute demolition job. Bangladesh were blown away for just 64 runs inside the opening day, leaving the visitors stunned and searching for answers.

DailyCricInfo brings you the full ringside view of Australia’s breathtaking opening day response.

Starc’s 22-Ball Hurricane

Winning the toss and choosing to bowl first on a bouncy Mackay deck, Pat Cummins gave the new cherry straight to Mitchell Starc.

The left-arm speedster didn't waste a single second.

Off the very first ball of the match, Starc produced a beauty that angled in and shaped away late to square up Shadman Islam. A thick leading edge flew straight to Cameron Green at gully. In his next over, Tanzid Hasan poked at a length ball and edged to third slip for a two-ball duck.

Next ball? Full, fast, swinging in. It trapped Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto dead in front of the stumps for another duck.

We watched Starc rip the heart out of Bangladesh's batting order in real time. He had Mominul Haque caught at gully and pinned Litton Das leg-before to complete a five-wicket haul in just four overs. Twenty-two deliveries. Five wickets. Bangladesh were reeling at a humiliating 12 for 5.

No Respite as Bangladesh Fold for 64

Could anyone stop the bleeding?

The truth is, Australia’s pacers gave the visitors no breathing room. Pat Cummins kept the pressure relentlessly high from the other end, picking up 3 for 25 with sharp bounce and disciplined lines.

Shoriful Islam swung wildly at the end to top-score with 14 runs, but Starc returned to find his outside edge and wrap up the innings. Starc walked off with jaw-dropping figures of 6 for 12 in 10 overs. The entire Bangladesh team was back in the pavilion in just under two sessions for a meager 64.

Australia now sit firmly in the driver’s seat, looking to bat big and level the two-match series in ruthless fashion.

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