MACKAY, Australia (AP) — Fresh from taking six wickets in the first innings, Australia's Mitchell Starc's again tormented Bangladesh's top order as the tourists were reduced to 39-3 at lunch in its second innings on Day 2 of a fast-moving second cricket test.
The evergreen left-arm bowler claimed an incredible 6-12 on Day 1 and backed up again Sunday morning with another two wickets in consecutive balls to help Australia take a solid grip of the match in Mackay, in northern Queensland state.
At the break, Bangladesh trails Australia by 107 runs with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto unbeaten on 23 and Mushfiqur Rahim on four.
After surviving Starc’s first over of the innings, Bangladesh were not as fortunate in the Aussie’s next over as Shadman Islam (1) edged a catch to Marnus Labuschagne, before Mominul Haque (0) shouldered arms and has his off stump rattled with Starc’s next delivery.
Pat Cummins also grabbed a wicket, having Tanzid Hasan (9) caught on the boundary.
Earlier, Australia resumed at 165-8 with Cameron Green and Nathan Lyon adding another 28 useful runs Sunday for the ninth wicket.
After also taking six wickets on a wild opening day, Shoriful Islam soon picked up his seventh with a searing inswinging yorker which struck Green on the front foot and was given out leg before wicket on review.
Shoriful’s 7-48 was the best bowling figures for a Bangladesh player away from home.
Green’s 67 off 105 balls with 10 boundaries was the top score of the match so far and follows his breakthrough home century in the first test at Darwin.
Lyon and Josh Hazlewood then pushed Australia’s score past 200 before Hazelwood skied a catch off Taijul Islam (1-17) to end the innings at 210, and a first innings lead of 146 runs.
Australia are looking to level the two-match series after a shock loss in last week's first test which Bangladesh claimed by nine wickets.
The two-test “Top End” series starts a heavy 12-month schedule for the Australians that will feature 20 test matches, including tours to South Africa, India and England.
See AP’s full cricket coverage here
Mitchell Starc of Australia appeals unsuccessfully for a wicket during play on day two of the first cricket test against Bangladesh in Darwin, Australia, Friday, Aug.14, 2026, (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)
HOUSTON (AP) — Donovan Walton homered and Tommy White had three hits as the Athletics used a big eighth inning to rally for a 4-3 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night and snap a five-game skid.
The A’s trailed 3-1 and had runners on second and third with one out in the eighth when they scored on a wild pitch by Bennett Sousa (1-2).
Lawrence Butler singled on a grounder to right field to tie it at 3-3. White doubled, and Butler scored on a groundout by Jonah Heim to put the Athletics on top.
Elvis Alvarado pitched the ninth for his third save.
Daulton Varsho's homer off Luis Medina (5-3) put the Astros ahead in the seventh and a two-out RBI single by Jeremy Peña extended the lead to 3-1.
Houston starter Hunter Brown allowed seven hits and a run in 5 2/3 innings.
Jacob Lopez struck out nine, allowing one run on three hits in six innings for the Athletics.
Walton opened the third inning with his shot near the bullpen in right-center to put the Athletics up 1-0.
Houston tied it on an RBI double by Yainer Diaz with two outs in the fourth.
The Athletics had runners on first and second with two outs in the sixth when Houston manager Joe Espada pointed toward right field as he ran out of the dugout. He apparently was not pointing toward the bullpen and wanted a timeout to talk to Brown and leave him in the game.
But the umpires thought otherwise and forced him to pull Brown. Espada talked with the umpires for a bit before play resumed. AJ Blubaugh took over and retired Heim.
Houston RHP Cristian Javier (1-4, 6.44 ERA) opposes LHP Brady Basso (0-0, 3.91) when the series concludes Sunday.
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
Athletics pitcher Jacob Lopez delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
Athletics' Donovan Walton runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
Home plate umpire Will Little (93) talks with Houston Astros manager Joe Espada (19) over a pitching change dispute during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
Athletics' Lawrence Butler runs to first base after hitting an RBI single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
Athletics' Lawrence Butler (4) is congratulated by Max Muncy (3) after scoring during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
