Mitchell Starc delivered a masterclass in pace bowling, taking 5 wickets in just 22 deliveries to leave Bangladesh reeling in the second Test at Mackay.

  • Mitchell Starc took a wicket with the very first ball of the Test match.
  • He achieved a 5-wicket haul in just 22 deliveries, the 5th fastest in Test history.
  • Starc surpassed Dale Steyn to reach 440 Test wickets.

Australian pace sensation Mitchell Starc has sent shockwaves through the Bangladesh batting lineup in the second Test at Mackay. Striking with the very first delivery of the match, Starc's lethal spell saw him claim five wickets in just 22 balls, leaving the visitors in a state of total collapse.

A Historic Start and Record-Breaking Spell

The match began with a moment of pure dominance as Starc dismissed Shadman Islam with the opening ball of the innings. This feat made him the first bowler in history to take four first-ball wickets in Test matches, having previously achieved this against Sri Lanka, England, and India. His ability to extract movement and bounce immediately validated Pat Cummins' decision to bowl first.

Read Also:Tuchel admits England went passive after Argentina’s late goals

Starc's rapid-fire five-wicket haul is the fifth-fastest such spell in the history of Test cricket. He sits high on this list, trailing only his own record of five wickets in 15 balls against the West Indies in 2025, and legendary spells by Stuart Broad and Scott Boland. The destruction left Bangladesh struggling at 35/6 by the lunch interval.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this performance is a turning point for Australia in this series. After facing criticism for batting first in the opening Test in Darwin, Australia's decision to exploit the conditions with their pace attack has paid massive dividends. Furthermore, Starc has etched his name into the history books by overtaking South African legend Dale Steyn, moving to 440 Test wickets and climbing to 10th on the all-time list.

"That's a statement of the highest quality from Mitchell Starc," former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist remarked.

While Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud managed to show some resilience to prevent a total wipeout, the damage inflicted by Starc has placed Australia firmly in the driver's seat. The tactical shift by captain Pat Cummins to prioritize early movement has completely neutralized the Bangladeshi top order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: How many balls did it take for Starc to get 5 wickets?
Answer: Mitchell Starc took 5 wickets in just 22 deliveries.

Question 2: Which legend did Starc overtake in Test wicket standings?
Answer: Mitchell Starc overtook South African great Dale Steyn to reach 440 Test wickets.

Did You Know?: Mitchell Starc's opening wicket was his 28th wicket taken in the first over of a Test innings!