Australia completed a stunning innings-and-51-run victory over Bangladesh inside two days at Mackay's Harrup Park, levelling the two-Test series at one apiece — but the comprehensive win couldn't mask some individual performances that will concern the selectors ahead of a South Africa tour. While Mitchell Starc was the undisputed star of the match, at least five Australian players left Mackay with serious questions still to answer.
The result stands in sharp contrast to Australia's innings defeat in Darwin the previous week, when Bangladesh claimed a historic victory. The turnaround in Mackay was dramatic, with 18 wickets tumbling on day one alone, and the match wrapped up well inside 48 hours.
Mitchell Starc leads the way with a near-perfect performance
If there was one player who could not be faulted, it was Mitchell Starc. The left-arm quick claimed figures of 4-39 in Bangladesh's second innings to finish with 10-51 for the match — his fourth career 10-wicket haul in Test cricket. Starc now holds the world record for the most wickets taken from the first ball of a Test, with four, and enters the South Africa series in peak form. His brilliance on day one cracked open the contest, and he followed up with equally sharp bowling on day two to seal the win.
Cameron Green also deserves recognition. His innings of 67 was an excellent knock, built on sound shot selection and sustained pressure on the Bangladesh bowlers. He and Lyon put on a crucial late partnership, helping Australia post a total of 210 and establish a lead of 146. Green was eventually dismissed by a brilliant inswinging yorker from Shoriful Islam, who took seven wickets across the match. Starc publicly praised Green's ability to find a "process" that worked for him, suggesting it could serve as a model for other Australian batsmen.
The five Australians who did not make the grade
Despite the comprehensive win, five members of Australia's squad had series or matches they will want to quickly forget.
- Travis Head gave Australia a bright start with the bat in Mackay but was dismissed by dragging the ball into his own stumps — a mode of dismissal that has now accounted for him three times in as many innings. His value at the top of the order remains clear given how rapidly he can exploit a new ball, but the technical flaw is becoming a pattern that demands attention before the South Africa tour.
- Beau Webster had a match to forget on multiple levels. He was dismissed for a first-ball duck, went wicketless across both innings, and dropped a straightforward catch on day one. Whether this represents a natural dip following a promising start to his Test career, or evidence that opposition teams have worked him out after 18 months of exposure, is a question Australia's selectors must now weigh carefully.
- Steve Smith faces arguably the most pressing scrutiny. He failed to make any meaningful contribution with the bat in either match, extending a streak without a Test century to more than three years. Smith was the first man in the nets on the second morning — a testament to his dedication — but Bangladesh's rapid second innings meant he had little opportunity to rebuild confidence at the crease. If he travels to South Africa, it may well be in a reserve batting capacity rather than as a key figure.
- Alex Carey kept tidily behind the stumps in what was his 50th Test appearance, a significant milestone, but he will be frustrated not to have made any substantial score across the series. After appearing stuck in Darwin, he was dismissed attempting to heave spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz over midwicket in Mackay — a shot that reflected a lack of patience rather than clarity of method. Australia will want him to find a better balance heading into the South African summer.
- Sam Konstas endured a brief and uncomfortable return to Test cricket. The young left-hander attempted to work a seaming delivery to midwicket and was caught in the cordon, departing without making an impact. He should receive an extended run at the top of the order, but a tour of South Africa — where the bowling attack is well-versed in targeting left-handers — presents a formidable immediate challenge.
Series context and what's next for Australia
Australia's captain made the right call at the toss this time around and bowled first, setting the template for a short, sharp victory. Josh Hazlewood bowled well in both innings without the same dramatic wicket returns he enjoyed in Darwin, but the more significant development for Australia was that he came through both Tests without any injury concerns — a potentially important sign for the months ahead.
Nathan Lyon chipped in with a vital 27 with the bat, part of the lower-order resistance that helped Australia accumulate those precious 146 runs of lead. He also claimed the key wicket of Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in the second innings, with drift drawing an attempted cover drive to the outfield. Despite remaining in a competitive position for his Test spot, Lyon performed his role effectively across both games.
As with any team-sport contest, individual player ratings — much like the player ratings from State of Origin's final game — can tell a more complex story than the scoreboard alone. Australia's innings win was emphatic, but the selectors will have homework to do before finalising their squad for South Africa, where the conditions and opposition will offer a considerably sterner examination than a two-day Test in regional Queensland.
