Mitchell Starc (Image: AP)
Starc finished with match figures of 10/51, following his sensational 6/12 in the first innings with four more wickets in Bangladesh’s second essay. His performance not only helped Australia bounce back from their shock nine-wicket defeat in Darwin but also moved him to 10th on the all-time Test wicket-takers’ list with 445 scalps, overtaking South Africa great Dale Steyn . He then tore through Bangladesh’s top order, reducing them to 12/5 before finishing with 6/12. Starc struck twice among the first three wickets, while Nathan Lyon removed captain Shanto after a brief 31-run resistance. Mushfiqur Rahim fought hard with an unbeaten 29, but Bangladesh were bowled out for 95.
Test cricket, I have said it before, Tests will always be the pinnacle for me and later on when we get to sing the song and he ( Nathan Lyon ) is leading it, that is one of the main reasons why we like to do it, love to do it. The veteran pacer showed his intent from the very first delivery of the match, removing Shadman Islam with the opening ball. It was the fourth occasion on which Starc had taken a wicket with the first delivery of a Test. “I thoroughly enjoy being part of this group. Bangladesh began their second innings with another collapse.
Shoriful Islam produced a superb spell for Bangladesh, claiming a career-best seven wickets in the match, while Australia were dismissed for 210. Cameron Green’s 67 proved crucial in giving the hosts a sizeable enough lead.
So, yeah, I would like to milk my body for all I can for Test cricket,” Mitchell starc said after winning player of the series award. So, still got a way to go,” he said. “I do not know yet. I am still playing. Nathan (Lyon) did remind me that I have just stepped on the first rung of the ladder and he is still up there looking down on me. Australia did not have it easy with the bat on a testing Mackay surface.