Josh Hazlewood was left frustrated during Australia’s dominant opening day against Bangladesh in the second Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay after a mid-pitch collision with Taskin Ahmed prevented him from completing a straightforward caught-and-bowled chance. Australia won the toss and elected to bowl after suffering a nine-wicket defeat in the series opener in Darwin. Their fast bowlers responded emphatically, dismissing Bangladesh for just 64 in 34 overs and putting the hosts firmly in control.

The incident involving Hazlewood occurred during the 28th over. The Australian pacer bowled a short delivery that Taskin attempted to pull, only to top-edge the ball high into the air. Hazlewood immediately moved forward to take the catch, but Taskin ran down the pitch and collided with the bowler.

The contact prevented Hazlewood from completing what appeared to be a simple caught-and-bowled opportunity, with the ball falling safely near backward short leg. Hazlewood was visibly unhappy and told Taskin that the batter had run directly into him. Australia captain Pat Cummins subsequently approached umpire Nitin Menon at the non-striker’s end to seek clarification over whether the incident could constitute an obstructing-the-field dismissal.

WATCH – Mitchell Starc Takes Five Wickets, Strikes With First Delivery To Rattle Bangladesh

However, the umpires determined that the collision was accidental, allowing Taskin to continue batting. Australia wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy also reacted strongly to the incident while on commentary, suggesting Hazlewood should have continued through the batter while attempting to complete the catch. The collision ultimately mattered little to the result of the innings as Australia’s pace attack completely dismantled Bangladesh’s batting order.

Who was in the wrong here? #AUSvBAN

WATCH: https://t.co/AaOYfRyuNl pic.twitter.com/KfGS0lH7lG

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

Mitchell Starc was the standout performer, producing a devastating spell of 6/12 from 10 overs. He claimed five wickets in only 22 deliveries, including the dismissal of Shadman Islam with the first ball of the Test.

Starc’s opening delivery moved late and took the edge of Shadman’s bat before Cameron Green completed the catch at gully. It marked the fourth occasion on which Starc had taken a wicket with the first ball of a men’s Test. His six-wicket haul also took his career tally to 440 Test wickets, moving him beyond South African great Dale Steyn and into the top 10 wicket-takers in Test history. Bangladesh collapsed to 12/5, with Shadman, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das all dismissed for ducks.

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Shoriful Islam top-scored with 14, while he and Taijul Islam added 25 for the final wicket. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 64, their fourth-lowest total in Test cricket. Starc claimed 6/12, Cummins took 3/25 and Hazlewood finished with one wicket, giving Australia the perfect response after their disappointing performance in Darwin.