Starc and Shoriful Rewrite Record Books as Mackay Test Begins
The opening day of the Test match in Mackay saw incredible bowling performances. Australia’s Mitchell Starc and Bangladesh’s Shoriful Islam both took six wickets each. This rare event has happened only four times before in Test cricket history. Such moments were recorded in 1902, 1907, and 1951.
Mitchell Starc, the Australian fast bowler, delivered a historic performance. He claimed 6 wickets for only 12 runs against Bangladesh. Starc took a wicket with the very first ball of the Test match. This was his fourth such achievement in Test cricket. This new record makes him the top bowler in this specific category.
Starc’s five wickets came in just 22 balls. This is the sixth-fastest five-wicket haul in Test history. He already holds the record for the fastest, getting five wickets in 15 balls last year. Starc has now taken a five-wicket haul against all eight teams he has played. He also took six or more wickets against seven different teams.
Shoriful Islam, the Bangladeshi bowler, also shined brightly. He took 6 wickets for 35 runs. Shoriful secured five wickets in 8.5 overs. This is the second-fastest five-wicket haul for a Bangladeshi bowler. Taijul Islam holds Bangladesh’s record from 2018.
Bangladesh’s batting line-up struggled severely. They were bowled out for only 64 runs. This is their fourth-lowest total ever in Test cricket. It is also their lowest score against Australia. Four of Bangladesh’s first six batters were dismissed for zero runs, all by Starc.
The score of 64 is also the lowest first-innings total at any venue hosting its first Test match. Shoriful Islam, batting at number 11, was Bangladesh’s top scorer with 14 runs. This is a very rare event in Test cricket. This total also equals the lowest top score by a number 11 batter in an innings.
