Pat Cummins wins toss and elects to bowl in Mackay

Updated August 22, 2026 — 3:03pm,first published August 22, 2026 — 9:55am

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Mackay: Marnus Labuschagne’s hopes of playing a key role in Australia’s looming series in South Africa has suffered another telling blow, despite his side taking complete control of the second Test after Mitchell Starc’s new-ball masterclass rolled Bangladesh for 64.

It was in bizarre circumstances that the besieged No.3 was bowled for four, straying across and brushing an attempted leg glance onto his stumps off left-arm quick Shoriful Islam.

The 32-year-old has endured a wretched three-and-a-half years, now averaging just 29.69 in Test cricket dating back to the start of 2023, his last century coming in July that year.

Australian coach Andrew McDonald had warned Labuschagne “needs runs” if he is to retain his spot throughout a gruelling calendar which could include as many as 19 more Tests between now and July – including a three-match series in South Africa beginning in October.

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Labuschagne’s dismissal came after Shoriful had also enticed Travis Head to chop onto his stumps for the third time in as many innings this series for 22, while the returning Matt Renshaw – his first appearance in the baggy green for more than three years – caught a leading edge attempting to guide Taskin Amed to the leg side, and was caught at third slip for eight.

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Steve Smith (six*) and Cameron Green (one*) guided Australia to 3-50 at the tea break.

Earlier, Starc’s 43-minute, 22-ball five-wicket haul triggering a drastic Bangladesh collapse in Mackay.

Seething from a shock nine-wicket defeat in the opening clash of the two Test series, the 36-year-old Starc’s six-wicket haul began with the first ball of the historic clash at Great Barrier Reef Arena – the 28th time he has made inroads during his first over of an innings.

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The left-arm quick’s delivery angled in at Shadman Islam’s leg stump, before swinging away to catch the outside edge, with Cameron Green latching onto the catch.

Skipper Pat Cummins’ decision to bowl after winning the toss looked better by the over, as Starc struck first ball of his second over as well – Tanzid Hasan (0) unable to dig out a full ball outside off, and instead guiding it off the edge to Beau Webster in the slips.

Starc was on a tear. His next ball, he trapped Najmul Hossain Shanton lbw, with the Bangladesh captain’s challenge ultimately deemed to be clipping leg stump based on the umpire’s call.

The left-arm spearhead was in a mood to impress the crowd, drawing a low edge from Mominul Haque (nine) in his third over, with Green diving low to his left to claim an impressive catch.

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When a vicious Starc bouncer caught Litton Das high on the bat in his fourth over, only for Webster to drop a sitter in the slips, it appeared maybe Bangladesh had some fortune going their way.

But that hope was eradicated next ball when Starc trapped him on the pads for a duck, and despite the appeal being turned down, replays confirmed the ball had pitched in line and was hitting to deliver Starc a five-wicket haul in 22 balls.

It took nine overs from that point for another breakthrough, Cummins getting one to nip off the seam from off stump into middle to bowl Mushfiqur Rahim for five.

After returning from lunch at 6-35, any hopes Bangladesh had of mustering a miracle were quickly snuffed out – Cummins quickly drawing Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s outside edge, caught by Webster, for 11, before Josh Hazlewood claimed his first wicket when Hasan Mahmud guided a leg glance straight to Nathan Lyon at leg gully for 10.

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There was one moment of controversy which soon followed, as Taskin Islam skied an attempted slog, only to get in Hazlewood’s way as the towering seamer attempted to get into position to take the catch. The umpires deemed the batter had not intentionally obstructed Hazlewood.

But his reprieve was short-lived, as the very next over he went for a similar shot off Cummins, only to send it straight down Lyon’s throat.

A lavish boundary over backward point off Shoriful helped Bangladesh avoid equalling their lowest-ever Test total of 43, set against the West Indies in 2018, with he and Taijul Islam sharing in a 25- run stand – the highest partnership of the innings – before Starc claimed his sixth scalp, finishing with 6-12, in dismissing the former caught behind by Alex Carey.

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Nick Wright covers sport for Brisbane Times.

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