Australia responded brilliantly to the debacle in Darwin by mauling Bangladesh in Mackay, with the innings and 51 run victory within two days squaring what proved to be an intriguing series following the upset in the first Test.
But even in triumph the questions are swirling about the Australian team given the dearth of first innings runs in both Darwin and Mackay by the Australians, with only Cameron Green and Steve Smith delivering with the bat.
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A handy cameo from Nathan Lyon, who had criticised batters for getting out to “shit shots” in Darwin, helped Australia set a target that proved too much for Bangladesh to make the hosts bat again in Mackay.
It is the first time Bangladesh, which played with great discipline and verve when causing a massive upset in Darwin, has been bowled out for less than 100 in both innings in a Test.
It was, as former Australian captain Allan Border said, “a dominant performance” by the Aussies, with the victory ensuring they have not lost a series since the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Tour of India.
“It was a great performance from the Australians from the very first ball of the Test match to the last ball of the Test match,” Border said.
But the brilliance of Mitchell Starc, who started the Test with a wicket on the first ball on the way to snaring 10 wickets, may prove the end for Marnus Labuschagne, who did not get the chance to bat again after an unlucky first innings dismissal.
While the Mackay Test was too brief for the fans who made it a sell out on both days, there was much to discuss, with foxsports.com.au canvassing the Talking Points for the series.
It is indisputable that the champion Australian bowling attack carried the nation to victory in Mackay in what was a sharply improved performance with the ball, if not the bat.
Mitch Starc sizzled in the tropical sunshine in northern Queensland, Pat Cummins was a step closer to his best, Nathan Lyon was on form in his brief opportunity and Josh Hazlewood, the pick of the bowlers in Darwin, was solid yet again.
“It is a different tune this week compared to last week. The men in the Baggy Green have certainly flexed their muscles that you are allowed to have a bad one occasionally, but it is how you respond, how you react,” Gilchrist said.
It was an encouraging performance given the series to come against South Africa, New Zealand, India and the Ashes, with a 150th Anniversary Test at the MCG against England and potential World Test Championship final in the mix as well.
It is scarcely a surprise they were a little rusty in Darwin given Hazlewood missed the entirety of the Ashes and Cummins and Lyon were barely present as the Aussies’ second choice attack – Starc and Scott Boland aside – put England to the sword.
But the Mackay mauling served a reminder of just how destructive the quartet of champions can be when at their peak and, even more encouragingly, the three fast bowlers felt comfortable in backing up after what was an arduous opening in the NT.
