Mitchell Starc produced a sensational opening spell on Saturday, August 22, ripping through Bangladesh’s batting lineup with a remarkable five-wicket haul as Australia bounced back strongly in the second Test in Mackay. Bangladesh were bowled out for just 64 in 34 overs after Starc’s devastating spell left them reeling. Australia entered the Test under immense pressure following their nine-wicket defeat in the series opener in Darwin.

Starc responded in emphatic fashion, striking with the very first delivery of the match and immediately putting Bangladesh on the back foot. The left-arm pacer began the demolition by dismissing Shadman Islam for a duck. Tanzid Hasan, who had scored a memorable century in Bangladesh’s historic win in Darwin, was next to depart without adding to the scoreboard.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto soon followed, also failing to score. Starc had reduced Bangladesh to 4/3 after just eight deliveries, setting the tone for an extraordinary collapse.

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Mominul Haque briefly offered resistance and scored the majority of Bangladesh’s early runs. However, Starc returned to remove him and complete his fourth wicket of the innings. Litton Das then became his fifth victim, leaving Bangladesh at 12/5.

Four of Starc’s first five wickets came without the batters scoring a run, underlining the sheer dominance of his spell. The Australia quick needed only 22 balls to complete his five-wicket haul, putting his performance among the fastest five-fors in Test cricket.

FIVE FOR STARC! After a review, the left-armer claims another in just his fourth over 🤯 #DRSChallenge | @Westpac | #AUSvBAN pic.twitter.com/qJpvAO0Oky

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 22, 2026

Starc already holds the record for the fastest five-wicket haul in Test history. He achieved that feat against the West Indies in 2025, taking five wickets in just 15 deliveries.

Only a handful of bowlers have completed a Test five-for in fewer than 22 balls. Ernie Toshack took five wickets in 19 balls against India in 1947, while Stuart Broad and Scott Boland also achieved the feat in 19 deliveries against Australia and England, respectively. Shane Watson required 21 balls to claim five wickets against South Africa in 2011.

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Starc’s extraordinary spell has given Australia the perfect response after their disappointing performance in Darwin. With Bangladesh struggling to reach even a three-figure total, Australia have taken complete control of the second Test and are firmly in contention to level the series.