Australia went into the first day of Mackay Test with a 101-run lead but Bangladesh displayed some determination with the ball to keep the hosts from dominating.
It was an amazing 18 wickets that were dismissed during the day, with Mitchell Starc and Shoriful Islam both picking up six wickets each. It was a two left arm quicks duel as neither side could kick up any significant first innings score.
In response, Starc put Bangladesh under pressure by shooting a 79.Starc, in turn, put Bangladesh under pressure with a 79.
Bangladesh had to settle for just 34 overs in reply in Bangladesh as Australia went first. Pat Cummins’ decision at the toss was met with immediate results when Starc got Shadman Islam on the first ball of the game.
The visitors’ pressure was soon to tell and they were 12-5 down. Starc was instrumental in getting movement and pace off the ground and even four of the first six batters of the Bangladesh side didn’t get off the mark.
Bangladesh found it difficult to establish any significant partnership, with Mushfiqur Rahim finally putting a spanner into Australia’s works. Some resistance was provided by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud but the innings folded after lunch.
Starc then contributed a dazzling 6 for 12 to bring the run tally to 64 for the dismissal of Bangladesh. The performance also put his Test wicket tally past former South Africa pace bowler Dale Steyn who registered 439 wickets.
Australia Also Collapse
Australia looked to be in prime position when Steven Smith and Cameron Green went first, but they both were dismissed.Australia looked to be in a strong position when they took control of the innings with Steven Smith and Cameron Green.
The pair topped the scoreboard for 77 runs for the fourth wicket, with them scoring freely in the difficult conditions. Things seemed in Australia’s favour until Shoriful Islam turned the tide.
Shoriful caught the ball in front to set up an explosive break from Australia, who were 42 for 3 (13 for 3) with the wicket of Smith coming home.Shoriful got the ball in front to let the Australian lean out and slide in on a sudden collapse with Smith home. Alex Carey was soon to be gone and then Bangladesh hit again with Beau Webster and Pat Cummins getting bowled out without scoring.
Shoriful then went on to cap off the task with Starc to give Bangladesh a chance to begin to narrow the gap.
Green offers significant resistance.
The only Australian batter left to stay on the crease was Cameron Green.
The all-rounder took an unbeaten 51, while wickets kept dropping around him. Playing in the middle were the innings that proved to be most fruitful in the day’s struggle to hit the ball with the puck.
Several wickets were lost in quick succession but Australia’s unbeaten finish was due to Green’s resistance.
Two Bowlers Dominate Day One
It was mostly a day for the seamer and both Starc and Shoriful were the highlight of the day.
Shoriful had previously made 14 runs for Bangladesh in the first innings, making him the top scorer in the first innings, before going on to destroy with the ball.
Australia’s 101-run advantage is a huge plus for them but Bangladesh will still think they have a chance to take it down if their bowlers can continue to make the most of the Mackay surface.
The Test has begun in a dramatic way, with 18 wickets already lost and another tough day may be in the offing for the batters.
