18 Wickets in One Day! Starc and Shoriful Turn Mackay Test Into Absolute Chaos
The second Test between Australia and Bangladesh has exploded into life in spectacular fashion, with 18 wickets falling on the opening day at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.
What initially looked like a complete Australian demolition turned into a gripping contest after Bangladesh's left-arm quick Shoriful Islam produced a stunning response to Mitchell Starc's extraordinary six-wicket haul.
Australia eventually reached 165/8 at stumps, giving them a 101-run first-innings lead, but Bangladesh will believe they remain alive after ripping through Australia's middle and lower order late in the day. Cameron Green's unbeaten 51 has, however, ensured that the hosts remain in the driver's seat heading into Day 2.
The opening day was exactly the sort of Test cricket that keeps spectators on the edge of their seats: movement, pace, collapsing batting orders, aggressive fast bowling, dramatic momentum swings and two outstanding individual bowling performances.
🔥 Starc Turns the First Session Into a Nightmare for Bangladesh
Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and had no hesitation in sending Bangladesh in, and the decision immediately looked inspired.
Mitchell Starc needed just one delivery to make an impact.
Shadman Islam edged the opening ball to Cameron Green at gully, giving Australia the perfect start. From there, Starc went into destruction mode.
Tanzid Hasan fell in Starc's second over before Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was trapped lbw from the very next delivery. Mominul Haque soon followed, while Litton Das was also removed after Australia successfully reviewed an lbw decision.
Bangladesh were suddenly 12/5, and the Test appeared to be slipping away from them at frightening speed.
Starc's spell was not simply about pace. His ability to attack the stumps while generating movement through the air made life almost impossible for Bangladesh's top order.
He eventually completed the innings with extraordinary figures of 6/12 from 10 overs, including six maidens.
That is the kind of bowling performance that can completely reshape a Test match.
Starc also moved beyond South African great Dale Steyn on the Test wicket-takers list during the performance, climbing to 10th place among the format's leading wicket-takers.
⚡ Bangladesh Collapse to Just 64 Runs
Bangladesh's innings was over in only 34 overs.
The final total of 64 was a brutal reflection of how badly their top order struggled against Australia's new-ball attack.
Four of Bangladesh's top six were dismissed without scoring, while Mushfiqur Rahim's resistance was eventually ended by Pat Cummins.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud attempted to delay the inevitable, but Australia's attack kept applying pressure. Cummins finished with 3/25, while Josh Hazlewood added 1/18.
Shoriful Islam, ironically, ended up being Bangladesh's top scorer with 14.
Taijul Islam remained unbeaten on 11, while the pair added a late 25-run partnership for the final wicket. That stand at least prevented Bangladesh from suffering an even more embarrassing total.
Bangladesh's 64 was one of the lowest totals in their Test history and left Australia with a massive opportunity to take control of the match.
But then something unexpected happened.
🏏 Australia's Batting Order Suddenly Falls Apart
At 64 all out, Australia had every reason to believe they could dominate the remainder of the day.
Instead, their own batting became the second half of the Mackay drama.
Australia lost Matt Renshaw early before Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne were both removed by Shoriful Islam.
Head made 22, while Labuschagne managed only four.
The pressure on Australia's batting lineup was therefore enormous, particularly after the home side had already watched Bangladesh's top order collapse.
Steven Smith and Cameron Green then produced the innings' most important partnership.
The experienced Smith and the composed Green added 77 runs, stabilising Australia and taking the score into much safer territory.
For a period, Australia looked ready to turn their 64-run advantage into a match-defining lead.
Then Shoriful struck again.
🌪️ Shoriful Islam Delivers a Stunning Answer to Starc
If Starc's opening spell was the defining moment of the first session, Shoriful Islam ensured that Bangladesh had their own headline act before the day ended.
Returning to the side after missing the first Test because of a hamstring problem, Shoriful immediately demonstrated why his comeback was such an important selection decision.
He dismissed Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne before eventually removing Steven Smith.
Smith had formed a vital partnership with Green, and his dismissal completely changed the complexion of Australia's innings.
Shoriful's figures continued to improve as Australia lost wickets in rapid succession.
He eventually finished with 6/35, producing the best Test bowling performance of his career according to the match reporting.
The most remarkable aspect of Bangladesh's fightback was how quickly it happened.
Australia went from 145/5 to 148/8, losing three wickets for only three runs.
Suddenly, the hosts were in danger of throwing away a commanding position.
💪 Cameron Green Becomes Australia's Rescue Act
While Australia's top order struggled, Cameron Green once again provided the stability his team desperately needed.
Green remained unbeaten on 51, continuing the excellent form he showed in the previous Test in Darwin.
His innings was particularly valuable because he survived the same conditions that had troubled almost every other batter.
Green did not attempt to dominate the bowling recklessly. Instead, he trusted his defence, waited for scoring opportunities and kept Australia moving forward.
His partnership with Smith was crucial, but his unbeaten stand with Nathan Lyon at the end of the day could prove even more important.
Australia finished at 165/8, meaning Green will return on Day 2 with the opportunity to extend the lead substantially.
The hosts are already 101 runs ahead, and on a surface where batting has looked extremely difficult, another 40 or 50 runs could dramatically alter the match.
📊 Australia vs Bangladesh 2nd Test Day 1 Score
Bangladesh were dismissed for 64 in 34 overs, with Shoriful Islam top-scoring with 14. Starc destroyed the innings with 6/12, while Cummins claimed 3/25.
Australia responded with 165/8 from 40 overs.
Cameron Green was unbeaten on 51, while Nathan Lyon was 10 not out at stumps.
Shoriful Islam finished with 6/35, while Bangladesh also received wickets from Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Australia therefore ended the day with a 101-run first-innings lead.
🎯 Cricketory Analysis: Why Did 18 Wickets Fall?
The extraordinary number of wickets was not simply the result of poor batting.
The Mackay surface offered considerable assistance to fast bowlers, particularly early in the innings. There was movement through the air and off the pitch, while the bounce created additional problems for batters attempting to play attacking shots.
Josh Hazlewood also pointed toward the influence of the breeze and the early movement when describing the conditions. The surface appeared to become somewhat easier later, although the second innings still produced a major collapse.
The biggest lesson from Day 1 is that batting technique mattered more than reputation.
Several established Australian batters struggled because they were unable to control the movement around the off stump and the attacking lengths employed by Bangladesh's quicks.
Bangladesh suffered from the same problem earlier.
This was therefore not a day where one team's batting was simply poor. It was a day where high-quality fast bowling repeatedly exposed technical weaknesses.
🧠 Cricketory Insight: Starc's Spell Was More Than Just Six Wickets
Starc's 6/12 will naturally dominate the headlines, but the way he achieved those figures deserves greater attention.
He attacked Bangladesh immediately.
There was no prolonged period of testing the batters before attacking the stumps. His first delivery produced a wicket, and he continued attacking with a combination of pace, swing and an angle that repeatedly forced Bangladesh's batters into uncomfortable decisions.
The most damaging phase came when Starc collected five wickets in only 22 deliveries.
That burst effectively destroyed Bangladesh's top order before the visitors had any opportunity to settle. The ICC noted that Starc's five-wicket haul came extremely quickly and that his performance also moved him beyond Dale Steyn in the Test wicket-takers rankings.
That is a huge achievement in itself.
🧠 Cricketory Insight: Shoriful's Spell Changed the Entire Match
Without Shoriful Islam, this Test could have looked completely different at the close of play.
Bangladesh were staring at a massive deficit after being bowled out for 64.
Instead of allowing Australia to build a 200-plus lead, Shoriful repeatedly attacked Australia's batters and kept the visitors within touching distance.
His dismissal of Smith was especially important.
Smith and Green had built the most significant partnership of Australia's innings, and breaking that stand opened the door for another collapse.
Shoriful then exploited Australia's exposed lower order brilliantly.
His final figures of 6/35 meant that both teams had produced six-wicket hauls on the same day — an extraordinary feature of the match.
🏆 Starc vs Shoriful: The Battle Within the Battle
The most fascinating subplot of Day 1 was the battle between the two left-arm fast bowlers.
Starc produced 6/12.
Shoriful responded with 6/35.
Starc's figures were considerably more economical, but Shoriful's wickets came when Bangladesh desperately needed them.
That distinction matters.
Starc put Australia in control.
Shoriful stopped Australia from completely running away with the match.
Both performances therefore had enormous value.
It is rare to see two bowlers from opposing teams produce six-wicket hauls in the same Test innings, let alone on the same day.
🇦🇺 Australia Still Hold the Advantage
Despite Australia's collapse, the hosts remain firmly ahead.
A 101-run lead is significant because Bangladesh have already demonstrated how difficult batting can be on this surface.
Australia also still have Cameron Green at the crease.
If Green and Lyon can add another 30 to 60 runs, Australia's lead could move toward 140 or even 170.
That would put enormous pressure on Bangladesh's second innings.
Australia's immediate objective on Day 2 should therefore be simple: survive the first hour, allow Green to control the tempo and push the lead beyond 150.
The longer Green remains unbeaten, the more dangerous Australia's position becomes.
🇧🇩 Bangladesh Are Not Out of the Fight
Bangladesh's situation looks difficult, but Shoriful Islam has ensured that the Test is not dead.
The visitors need early wickets on Day 2.
If they can remove Green and Lyon quickly, Australia may be restricted to a relatively modest lead.
A target around 120 to 150 would still give Bangladesh something to fight for, particularly if their batters can learn from Australia's approach.
But if Green reaches 70 or 80 and Australia extends the lead beyond 170, Bangladesh's chances will deteriorate rapidly.
The first session of Day 2 could therefore decide the direction of the entire Test.
🔥 The Biggest Talking Points From Day 1
The headline number is obviously 18 wickets.
But several other numbers deserve attention.
Starc's 6/12 was the standout bowling performance, while Shoriful's 6/35 provided Bangladesh with a spectacular response.
Bangladesh's 64 was a catastrophic first innings, while Australia's 165/8 showed that even the supposedly dominant side could not master the conditions.
Cameron Green's unbeaten 51 may ultimately become the most important innings of the day.
The match has also demonstrated just how quickly momentum can change in Test cricket. Australia appeared to have crushed Bangladesh in the first session. By the final session, the visitors had ripped through Australia's batting and transformed a one-sided contest into a genuine battle.
That is exactly why Test cricket remains so unpredictable.
📈 What Australia Need to Do on Day 2
Australia should resist the temptation to attack every ball.
The conditions have already demonstrated that wickets can arrive quickly, so there is little reason for Green and Lyon to take unnecessary risks.
Their priority should be extending the lead.
If Australia can reach 200, Bangladesh will be 136 runs behind.
At 220, the lead becomes 156.
At 250, it reaches 186.
On this surface, those differences could be enormous.
The Australian bowlers will then have the opportunity to attack Bangladesh's batting again with scoreboard pressure firmly on their shoulders.
📉 What Bangladesh Need to Do on Day 2
Bangladesh need to finish the Australian innings as quickly as possible.
The worst possible scenario is allowing Green to bat deep into the second day.
Shoriful has already demonstrated that the surface rewards disciplined pace bowling. Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud will need to maintain pressure at the other end, while the spinners could become increasingly important as the Test progresses.
Most importantly, Bangladesh's batsmen cannot afford another top-order collapse.
Their first innings was effectively over before it started.
A competitive second innings is now essential if they want to keep the series decider alive.
🏏 Final Cricketory Verdict
Day 1 in Mackay was not normal Test cricket.
It was a fast-bowling assault from beginning to end.
Mitchell Starc ripped Bangladesh apart with one of his most destructive Test spells, finishing with 6/12 and pushing himself further up the list of Test cricket's greatest wicket-takers.
Then Shoriful Islam delivered the answer Bangladesh desperately needed.
His 6/35 prevented Australia from turning a 64-run demolition into an overwhelming advantage.
Australia nevertheless finished the day ahead at 165/8, holding a 101-run lead, with Cameron Green unbeaten on 51.
The balance still favours Australia, but Bangladesh have made sure that the second day will matter enormously.
If Green survives, Australia could build a match-winning advantage.
If Bangladesh strike early, the contest could become remarkably close.
One thing is already certain: Mackay has produced one of the most dramatic opening days of Test cricket in 2026. Eighteen wickets, two six-wicket hauls and a match that swung violently from one side to the other — this is precisely the kind of chaos that makes Test cricket impossible to predict.
❓ FAQs: Australia vs Bangladesh 2nd Test
Who took six wickets for Australia against Bangladesh?
Mitchell Starc took six wickets for 12 runs in Bangladesh's first innings. His figures included six maidens and helped Australia dismiss Bangladesh for just 64.
Who took six wickets for Bangladesh?
Shoriful Islam claimed six wickets for 35 runs, giving Bangladesh a major comeback after Australia had reduced them to 64 all out.
How many wickets fell on Day 1 of the Australia vs Bangladesh second Test?
A total of 18 wickets fell on the opening day in Mackay.
What was Bangladesh's score in the first innings?
Bangladesh were bowled out for 64 runs in 34 overs.
What was Australia's score at stumps?
Australia finished Day 1 on 165/8 from 40 overs, giving them a 101-run first-innings lead.
Who scored a fifty for Australia?
Cameron Green remained unbeaten on 51 at the end of the opening day.
What were Mitchell Starc's bowling figures?
Starc finished with 6/12 from 10 overs, including six maidens.
What were Shoriful Islam's bowling figures?
Shoriful Islam took 6/35 from 11 overs and was responsible for Australia's late collapse.
What is Australia's lead over Bangladesh?
Australia held a 101-run lead at stumps after Day 1.
Why did so many wickets fall in Mackay?
The pitch and conditions offered assistance to fast bowlers, with movement in the air, bounce and seam creating significant problems for both batting lineups. The result was an extraordinary day dominated by pace bowling.
Can Bangladesh still win the Test?
Absolutely. Bangladesh's six-wicket burst through Shoriful Islam has kept the match alive. If they dismiss Australia's final two batters quickly and then produce a much stronger second innings, the contest can still swing in their favour. But Australia's 101-run advantage gives the hosts the upper hand heading into Day 2.
What is the biggest story from Day 1?
The biggest story is the extraordinary contrast between Starc and Shoriful. Starc appeared to destroy the Test with 6/12, but Shoriful responded with 6/35 to prevent Australia from taking complete control. The 18-wicket day has left the match dramatically poised.