2 min readAug 23, 2026 04:09 PM IST
Mitchell Starc breathed fire in Mackay, running through the entire Bangladesh batting order not once but twice, helping Australia thrash the visitors by an innings and 51 runs to level the two-match series 1-1, following a humiliating nine-wicket loss in the opening Test.
Starc took matters into his own hands after Bangladesh won the Darwin Test, picking up six wickets in the first innings and following it up with a four-wicket haul in the second as Australia bundled out Bangladesh for less than 100 in both innings. The visitors could only manage 65 and 94, as Australia’s solitary innings total of 210 proved more than enough for the hosts.
Starc accepted that Australia were not at their best in the first Test, crediting Bangladesh for their performance. “Much better week. We knew we weren’t at our best, or what we expect of ourselves in Darwin. Bangladesh played really well, so nothing away from them there. But yeah, what we expect from ourselves this week is what we got, particularly with the ball on a wicket that aided us. So, one-all series, but a much better week for us,” said Starc after being named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series.
Speaking on his longevity and commitment to Australian Test cricket, Starc said: “It’s still hanging together. Yeah, I thoroughly enjoy being part of this group. Test cricket, I’ve said it before, will always be the pinnacle for me. And later on when we get to sing the song and he’s leading it, that’s one of the main reasons why we like to do it, love to do it. So, yeah, I’d like to milk my body for all I can for Test cricket.”
Starc’s 10 wickets in the Test also took him past Dale Steyn’s tally as he entered the list of top 10 wicket-takers in Test cricket. In 107 Tests, Starc now has 445 scalps to his name.
When asked about the feat, he said: “I don’t know yet. I’m still playing. Nathan did remind me that I’ve just stepped on the first rung of the ladder and he’s still up there looking down on me. So, still got a way to go.”
