Mitchell Starc Tears Through Bangladesh With 22-Ball Five-Wicket Haul in Mackay

Mitchell Starc produced a devastating opening spell in the Mackay Test, ripping through Bangladesh’s batting lineup and putting Australia firmly in control during the opening hour.

The left-arm quick claimed five Bangladesh wickets in just 22 deliveries, reducing the visitors to 20 for 5 at one stage. Starc finished his initial spell with remarkable figures of 5 for 5 from four overs.

Starc’s demolition began with a wicket from the very first ball of the match. He then continued to dismantle Bangladesh’s top order with his pace and bounce, leaving the visitors in serious trouble early in their innings.

Litton Das was involved in one of the most dramatic moments of the collapse. He top-edged a Starc bouncer towards the slips, where Beau Webster dropped the chance while appearing to celebrate early. Litton was given a lifeline but was dismissed lbw by Starc from the very next delivery. The umpire initially turned down the appeal, but Australia successfully reviewed the decision.

The five-wicket burst also saw Starc move past South African great Dale Steyn on the all-time Test wicket list for fast bowlers. James Anderson remains at the top of the overall list with 704 Test wickets.

Despite taking five wickets in only 22 balls, this was not Starc’s fastest Test five-wicket haul. He holds the record for the fastest five-wicket haul in Test cricket, having taken five wickets in just 15 balls against the West Indies last year. The West Indies were bowled out for only 27 in that innings.

Bangladesh now face a major challenge after their dramatic early collapse. Their lowest Test total remains 43, recorded against the West Indies in 2018. The lowest team total in Test history is New Zealand’s 26 against England in 1955.

The collapse is a sharp contrast to Bangladesh’s historic performance in Darwin, where they defeated Australia by nine wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.

Bangladesh: 20/5 — Mitchell Starc 5/5