Starc destroys Bangladesh in Mackay as Australia bounce back from Darwin disaster

Aug 23 : Evergreen paceman Mitchell Starc grabbed the fourth 10-wicket haul of his career to propel Australia to a thumping innings and 51-run victory in two days against Bangladesh on Sunday as the hosts hit back hard in Mackay to split the Test series 1-1 after their Darwin humiliation.

Left-armer Starc finished with match figures of 10-51 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 95 just after tea at Great Barrier Reef Arena, with the 750-ball Test clocking in as the shortest in Australia in almost a century.

For Bangladesh, who were routed for 64 in the first innings, it was a huge come-down after their famous nine-wicket win in Darwin, rated by some as the greatest upset in Test cricket's nearly-150-year history.

Australia, however, showed their ageing attack remains a force on a bouncy wicket and capable of covering for their batting deficiencies.   

"Much better week. We knew we weren't at our best, or what we expect of ourselves, in Darwin," said 36-year-old Starc, who swept the Player of the Match and Series awards after claiming 12 wickets at an average of 12.08.

"What we expect of ourselves this week is what we got, particularly with the ball and the wicket that aided us with the ball."

As emphatic as the victory was, Australia's batting remains a quandary before they meet the reigning World Test Championship winners South Africa on a daunting three-Test tour in October.

The hosts were bowled out for 210 in reply to Bangladesh's 64, with Cameron Green (67) alone making more than 50.

The brevity of the match - Australia's third two-day fizzer in its last seven home Tests - put Mackay's Gabba-style pitch under the microscope.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored for his side with 31 and said the wicket was