In a devastating opening spell, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc ripped through the Bangladesh top order, claiming five wickets in just 45 minutes of play. The searing pace and late swing from the left-arm quick left Bangladesh in a precarious position at 35 for 6 by lunch on the first day of the Test match. At one point, the visitors had slumped to 12 for 5, a testament to Starc’s destructive performance.
Starc’s Unstoppable Pace
This rapid-fire demolition was not the first time Starc has dismantled a top-order batting lineup in such a short span. Last year, he achieved a similar feat against the West Indies, taking five wickets in just 15 balls. In this encounter, Starc needed only 22 balls to reach the five-wicket milestone against Bangladesh. The onslaught began immediately after Australian captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl.
Early Wickets and Records Fall
Starc’s opening delivery set the tone, squaring up opener Shadman Islam with a ball that swung inwards before moving away. Shadman’s attempted drive resulted in an edge that was sharply caught by Cameron Green at gully, diving to his left. This wicket marked a significant personal achievement for Starc, being the fourth time he has taken a wicket with the very first ball of a Test match. He had previously dismissed Dimuth Karunaratne, Rory Burns, and Yashasvi Jaiswal on the opening delivery of their respective Test innings. Furthermore, it was the ninth occasion Starc has claimed a wicket within the first over of a Test match.
Shadman Islam’s dismissal also etched his name into the record books for Bangladesh. He joined Hannan Sarkar as the second Bangladesh opener to be out first ball in a Test. Sarkar had experienced this unfortunate dismissal three times previously, all against Pedro Collins of the West Indies.
Hat-trick Scare and Middle-Order Collapse
Starc continued his relentless assault in his second over, striking on the first ball again. Tanzid Hasan, who had scored a century in his previous Test, guided the ball to Beau Webster at second slip. This dismissal followed a duck in his last innings, marking a stark contrast to his recent success. The very next ball, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was given out leg before wicket (lbw). Shanto opted for a review, but the umpire’s call stood, leaving the captain visibly frustrated.
While Mushfiqur Rahim managed to survive the hat-trick ball, the wickets continued to tumble. Mominul Haque, attempting a drive with minimal footwork, edged a delivery to Green at gully. This pattern of batters playing at wide deliveries without proper footwork became a recurring theme.
Five-For and Lowest Score
Starc completed his five-wicket haul in the subsequent over by trapping Litton Das lbw for a duck. The relief was palpable for the fielding side, as Webster had dropped a relatively simple chance off Litton on the previous delivery. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena raised his finger, and the decision was upheld by the third umpire, Richard Illingworth, after replays showed three reds. The score of 12 for 5 became Bangladesh’s lowest total for the loss of half their side in a Test innings, highlighting the severity of Starc’s impact.
A Glimmer of Resistance
With the team in dire straits, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the last recognized batting pair, managed to stem the tide. They weathered the Australian attack for approximately ten overs, employing a predominantly defensive strategy and surviving several close calls. Their partnership, however, was eventually broken when Pat Cummins found an inside edge off Mushfiqur’s bat and pad, leading to his dismissal.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud were the batsmen at the crease when play was called for lunch, having successfully navigated the remaining overs. Their survival demonstrated the importance of patience and leaving the ball outside the off-stump, a lesson learned perhaps too late for the top order.
Looking Ahead
The match is poised precariously for Bangladesh, who face an uphill battle to recover from the initial collapse. Australia, on the other hand, will be looking to capitalize on the momentum gained from Starc’s exceptional bowling performance. The resilience shown by the lower order offers a small glimmer of hope, but the task of building a competitive total remains immense.
