Starc’s cricket master-class: 6 1st-innings wickets for Australia against Bangladesh

MACKAY, Australia (AP) — Mitchell Starc removed Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam with the first ball of the match and took six wickets in the first innings of the second cricket test on Saturday. After Australia won the toss and chose to bowl, captain Pat Cummins noted the wicket looked good but might have some moisture. Starc’s performance was accurate, bowling Bangladesh out for 64 runs shortly after lunch. Starc’s sixth wicket came after lunch, with his figures standing at 6-12 in 10 overs. His fourth wicket was a record fourth career first-ball dismissal by Shoriful Islam, caught in the gully. He also took Tanzid Hasan and had Najmul Hossain Shanto caught lbw in the third over. Cameron Green made a grass-top catch to dismiss Mominul Haque for 9, the only run among the first four batters. Litton Das was later lbw to complete his fifth wicket. Cummins finished with three wickets. The Bangladesh total of 64 was the lowest first-innings score in Australia since 1932, when South Africa was dismissed for 36. Starc’s performance was praised, with his wife and former Australia captain Alyssa Healy calling it 'unbeatable' and acknowledging some anger. Australia’s 13-man squad for the second test included only one change, dropping Jake Weatherald and recalling Matt Renshaw, who opened but was dismissed early. The match began under sunny skies at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, a coastal city in Queensland about 800 kilometers north of Brisbane. Bangladesh’s first test win in Australia raised pressure on selectors for an overhaul, though most of the aging squad was retained. The two-test 'Top End' series follows a heavy 12-month schedule for Australia, including tours to South Africa, India, and England. Bangladesh’s win in Darwin highlighted their aging squad’s struggles against better conditions, with players like Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan performing well in tropical settings.