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The two-Test series between Australia and Bangladesh ended 1-1, but it produced several memorable bowling performances. Bangladesh stunned Australia with a historic nine-wicket victory in Darwin before the hosts responded emphatically in Mackay, securing an innings-and-51-run win inside just two days.
Mitchell Starc’s sensational 10-wicket match haul was the headline performance of the second Test, while Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud and Shoriful Islam also made significant contributions with the ball.
Here are the top 3 wicket-takers from AUS vs BAN 2026 series:
Team: Australia
Josh Hazlewood finished third among the wicket-takers in the Australia vs Bangladesh Test series with eight wickets.
The Australian seamer was particularly effective during the second Test in Mackay, where conditions offered considerable assistance to the pace bowlers. While Mitchell Starc grabbed the headlines with his extraordinary 6/12 in Bangladesh’s first innings, Hazlewood played an important supporting role in Australia’s dominant bowling display.
Hazlewood opened his account in the second Test by dismissing Mahmud after the Bangladesh batter had survived 35 deliveries. His disciplined lines and ability to extract movement from the surface made him a constant threat throughout the contest.
The right-arm quick’s value to Australia’s attack goes beyond his wicket tally. Hazlewood is renowned for maintaining pressure by repeatedly hitting the right areas, forcing batters to play and making run-scoring difficult.
That quality was particularly important against Bangladesh’s top order, which struggled considerably against Australia’s experienced pace attack in Mackay. Bangladesh were dismissed for just 64 in their first innings, with Starc doing most of the damage, before Australia completed the job in their second innings.
Hazlewood’s eight wickets across the series also demonstrated his consistency. Even when Starc produced extraordinary spells, Hazlewood remained capable of creating pressure from the other end.
For Australia, having Hazlewood operating alongside Starc and Pat Cummins provides the team with one of the most experienced pace attacks in Test cricket. His contribution was therefore an important factor in Australia’s successful comeback after the disappointment of Darwin.
Team: Bangladesh
Hasan Mahmud finished the series with nine wickets, placing him second on the overall wicket-takers’ chart.
The Bangladesh pacer was one of the biggest reasons behind his team’s historic victory in the opening Test in Darwin. His sensational 6/55 in Australia’s first innings helped Bangladesh seize control of the contest.
Mahmud’s spell was especially impressive because he dismantled Australia’s batting line-up after the hosts had appeared capable of building a competitive total. He consistently challenged the Australian batters with pace and movement and finished with career-defining figures.
He continued to make an impact in Australia’s second innings, claiming another three wickets. His match figures of 9/111 played a crucial role in Bangladesh securing their first-ever Test victory over Australia on Australian soil.
Mahmud’s performance in Darwin was also historically significant. His six-wicket haul represented the best innings figures by a Bangladesh bowler against Australia at the time and highlighted the growing quality of Bangladesh’s pace attack.
Although he did not feature in the second Test, his remarkable performance in Darwin was enough to keep him second in the overall series wicket-takers’ standings.
The 26-year-old’s ability to generate movement and attack the stumps made him particularly difficult to handle. Australia’s batters struggled to establish partnerships against him, allowing Bangladesh to maintain pressure throughout the match.
While Bangladesh eventually suffered a heavy defeat in Mackay, Mahmud’s nine wickets remain one of the biggest positives from their historic tour.
Team: Australia
Mitchell Starc finished at the top of the wicket-taking charts with 12 wickets, making him the standout bowler of the series.
The left-arm quick saved his best performance for the second Test in Mackay. After Bangladesh won the opening Test in Darwin, Australia needed a strong response, and Starc delivered almost immediately.
He produced a devastating 6/12 in Bangladesh’s first innings, reducing the visitors to just 64. Starc’s extraordinary spell saw him claim five wickets in only 22 balls, while Bangladesh’s top order had no answer to his pace and movement.
Starc was not finished there.
In Bangladesh’s second innings, he claimed another four wickets to finish the Test with sensational match figures of 10/51. It was his fourth career ten-wicket haul in Test cricket and helped Australia wrap up the match in just two days.
His performance earned him both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.
Starc’s 10-wicket haul was also crucial in shifting the momentum of the series. Australia had been beaten comprehensively in Darwin, but his remarkable spell ensured that Bangladesh had virtually no opportunity to repeat their success in Mackay.
The veteran pacer also moved into the top 10 of the all-time Test wicket-takers’ list, reaching 445 career dismissals during the second Test.
Although Bangladesh’s Shoriful Islam produced a historic seven-wicket haul in the same match, Starc’s overall impact across the series saw him finish comfortably at the top of the wicket-taking standings.
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