Shoriful takes six as Australia build 101-run lead in Mackay

Left-arm marksman Shoriful Islam produced career-best figures of 6-35 to keep Bangladesh in the contest as Australia ended the opening day of the second Test in Mackay with a commanding 101-run lead.

Bangladesh were bowled out for just 64 after losing the toss, with Mitchell Starc taking 6-12, before Australia reached 165-8 from 40 overs at stumps on Saturday.

Cameron Green was unbeaten on 51 from 81 balls, having struck eight fours, with Nathan Lyon 10 not out.

Shoriful, returning from a hamstring injury, was comfortably Bangladesh’s standout performer. His six wickets were twice as many as his previous best in a Test innings, while his 14 at number 11 had earlier been Bangladesh’s highest individual score.

Australia had threatened to build an even bigger advantage after recovering from 41-3, but Shoriful repeatedly pulled the visitors back into the game.

He had earlier removed Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne in quick succession before breaking a 77-run stand between Green and Steve Smith.

Smith, who made 42 from 74 balls with six fours, was trapped lbw by a delivery that pitched on off stump and straightened. The former Australia captain reviewed the decision, but both impact and the ball hitting the stumps were shown as umpire’s call.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz then struck with his first over, having Alex Carey caught by Hasan Mahmud at mid-on for five.

Shoriful returned to dismiss Beau Webster for a golden duck and Pat Cummins without scoring in the space of three balls, completing his maiden Test five-wicket haul.

He then bowled Starc for one to claim his sixth wicket and improve his career-best figures.

Green, however, remained firm at the other end and reached his half-century from 80 balls as Australia’s lead moved into three figures.

Starc Tears Through Bangladesh

Australia captain Cummins had elected to bowl on a lively surface at the Great Barrier Reef Arena, which became the country’s 12th Test venue.

Starc then tore through Bangladesh’s top order, taking the first five wickets as the tourists collapsed to 12-5 inside seven overs.

The left-arm quick struck with the first ball of the Test to remove Shadman Islam and went on to dismiss Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque and Litton.

Starc eventually finished with 6-12, while Cummins took 3-25 as Bangladesh were dismissed for 64.

Shoriful, batting at number 10, made 14 before becoming Starc’s sixth victim.

But he soon made a far greater impact with the ball.

Australia reached tea on 50-3 after Taskin Ahmed removed recalled opener Matt Renshaw for eight and Shoriful accounted for Head and Labuschagne.

Smith and Green then rebuilt the innings before Shoriful returned to break the partnership and lead Bangladesh’s fightback.