Starc-inspired Australia crush Bangladesh to level Test series

Australia have bounced back emphatically to level their two-Test series against Bangladesh, securing an innings-and-51-run victory in Mackay after Mitchell Starc produced another devastating display of fast bowling.

Starc finished with 10 wickets for 51 runs across the match, including four wickets in Bangladesh's second innings, as the visitors were dismissed for just 95 on Sunday. It was the fourth time in his Test career that the left-arm quick had taken 10 wickets in a match.

The comprehensive victory came just a week after Bangladesh stunned Australia with a nine-wicket win in the opening Test in Darwin, giving the visitors hope of a historic series triumph.

Instead, Australia responded with a dominant performance that was effectively completed inside two days.

After 18 wickets fell on the opening day, Australia resumed at 165-8 on Sunday morning with Cameron Green unbeaten on 51 and Nathan Lyon on 10. Green continued to push the score forward before Shoriful Islam trapped him lbw for 67 with a sharply swinging yorker.

Lyon then helped Australia reach 200, striking a six off Taskin Ahmed, while Josh Hazlewood contributed a valuable 24 to extend Australia's advantage. Hazlewood was eventually dismissed for six, leaving Lyon unbeaten on 32 and Australia with a first-innings total of 356.

Shoriful was Bangladesh's standout bowler, finishing with 7-48 - the best figures by a Bangladeshi bowler in an overseas Test.

Bangladesh, however, were unable to withstand Australia's pace attack for a second time.

Shadman Islam lasted only three balls before edging a Starc delivery to Marnus Labuschagne at point. Mominul Haque followed with the very next delivery, losing his off stump after leaving a ball he should have played.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto survived the hat-trick ball but could not inspire a recovery. He battled through 46 deliveries before falling for 31 after attempting to hit Lyon over the top and finding Starc at long-on.

Starc returned to the attack and immediately struck again when Litton Das was caught at third slip by Beau Webster without scoring.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz also struggled for runs before edging a Cummins bouncer through to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Cummins then dismissed Hasan Mahmud for two before Starc completed his 10-wicket haul by bowling Taijul Islam for seven.

Lyon finished the job soon after tea, claiming the final wicket to seal Australia's innings victory.

Australia captain Pat Cummins praised his team's response after the disappointing first Test.

"A lot of things went right these couple of days and a lot of things went wrong last week," Cummins said.

"We needed to bounce back, and it was a great few days from the lads. Everyone was sharp. It was a great start, and we didn't really let up."

Shanto acknowledged that Bangladesh had been outplayed, particularly by Australia's fast bowlers.

"We know how good Australia are. They showed their character," he said.

"We were not up to the mark with the bat. It was challenging conditions here with extra bounce and swing; we would like to learn from this."

The result leaves the two-match series level at 1-1, with Australia recovering strongly after their shock defeat in Darwin.