Queensland: Australia staged a ruthless response to their shock defeat in Darwin, crushing Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs inside two days in the second Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay on Sunday to draw the two-match series 1–1.

Australia resumed Day 2 on 165 for 8 in their first innings and added 45 crucial runs to reach 210, establishing a commanding 146-run lead. Cameron Green top-scored for the hosts with a hard-fought 67 off 105 balls, whilst Nathan Lyon added an invaluable unbeaten 32. Bangladesh paceman Shoriful Islam produced a stellar performance despite his side's overall collapse, finishing with career-best figures of 7 for 48—the best bowling figures ever recorded by a Bangladesh player in an away Test match.

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Faced with a heavy deficit on a bouncy surface, Bangladesh's second innings unravelled in rapid fashion. Mitchell Starc struck immediately by removing Shadman Islam for one before clean-bowling Mominul Haque for a first-ball duck. Although Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (31) and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim (29 not out) offered brief resistance, the visitors proved unable to cope with Australia's relentless bowling attack. Pat Cummins delivered a disciplined spell of 3 for 10, whilst off-spinner Nathan Lyon wrapped up the tail post-tea to finish with 3 for 25, dismissing Bangladesh for just 95 in 38.3 overs.

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The victory was spearheaded by a bowling masterclass from Starc, who followed up his remarkable 6 for 12 in the first innings with 4 for 39 in the second to claim a 10-wicket match haul (10 for 51). Starc's fourth career 10-wicket haul took his total Test tally to 445 wickets, surpassing South African legend Dale Steyn to enter the top ten on the all-time Test wicket-takers list. Furthermore, the match marked the first instance in Bangladesh's Test history where they were bowled out for under 100 in both innings of a single match.

Australia's swift two-day victory restores pride after their opening Test setback, concluding an intense winter series with honours shared.