Online Reporter
Evergreen paceman Mitchell Starc took four wickets and spinner Nathan Lyon three to propel Australia to a thumping innings and 51-run victory over Bangladesh in Mackay yesterday as the hosts hit back hard after their humiliation in Darwin.
Left-armer Starc finished with match figures of 10-51 as Bangladesh crashed out before tea on day two, bowled out for 95 in 38.3 overs at Great Barrier Reef Stadium in another batting disaster following their first innings 46.
With the two-match series squared at 1-1, Australia responded well after the nine-wicket loss in Darwin and showed their ageing attack remains a force on a bouncy wicket.
“It’s been a good series,” said Australia all-rounder Cameron Green, who top-scored with 67.
“I think it’s a bit of a shame, obviously, what happened last week. But for the boys to come out this week and do that, it’s pretty special.”
Australia’s win may do little to ease concerns about their batting before meeting the reigning World Test Championship winners South Africa on a daunting three-test tour in October.
Having bowled Australia out for 210, Bangladesh needed 146 runs to make the hosts bat again but slumped to 39 for three by lunch and collapsed in the middle session, limping to 95 for eight at tea.
Lyon took the final two wickets in three balls straight after the teabreak to wrap up the match. —Reuters.
