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Cummins praises Australia response, Green's batting after Mackay win
Beaten by nine wickets in the series opener in Darwin in one of Test cricket's greatest upsets, Australia hit back emphatically in Mackay to win by an innings and 51 runs in two days
- PUBLISHED: Sun 23 Aug 2026, 6:45 PM
Captain Pat Cummins said Australia had delivered the response they needed in Mackay after their shock Darwin defeat, while praising all-rounder Cameron Green for silencing doubts over his place in the side with a commanding series with the bat against Bangladesh.
Beaten by nine wickets in the series opener in Darwin in one of Test cricket's greatest upsets, Australia hit back emphatically in Mackay to win by an innings and 51 runs in two days, tying the series 1-1 on Sunday.
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The Mackay victory was set up by an incredible opening spell by Mitchell Starc, who took 6-12 in the first innings as Bangladesh were bowled out for 64.
"We needed to bounce back and it was a great couple of days from the lads," Cummins said.
"I thought everyone was really sharp. You know, it's a bit like the opposite of last week.
"If we get a really good first hour or two, we can set up the rest of the match. I don't expect to get 6-20 or whatever we had every match, but it was great start. Didn't really let up after that."
Green followed his century in Darwin with a gutsy 67 in the second Test to drive Australia to a 146-run lead, which proved well beyond Bangladesh.
Green's revival followed a lean spell during the Ashes which left former Australia players and pundits questioning the tall all-rounder's place in the Test setup.
"He looked in total command of his batting this whole series," said Cummins.
"So really happy for him. Again, he held our innings together yesterday and this morning. So hopefully, he can take a lot of confidence out of that. We know how good he is.
"Hopefully it continues on."
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.
Despite the Mackay setback, Bangladesh leave their first Test tour of Australia in 23 years with reputations enhanced.
Their recalled left-arm paceman Shoriful Islam took 7-48 in a Starc-esque display in the second match, the best innings haul by a Bangladesh bowler in an away Test.
It was the tall 25-year-old's first five-wicket haul in his budding Test career and he beamed after the match while swapping notes with Starc.
Bangladesh skipper Shanto called on Australia to host them in more Tests - and not wait another 23 years.
"It was challenging for us," he said. "But as a team if we want to go forward we need to address these conditions and I think this experience will help us moving forward."