Starc strikes early again as Bangladesh chase Australian lead on day two

Bangladesh's loss to Australia in the second Test in Mackay has provided India with a slight but noteworthy advantage in the race for a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Although Bangladesh had previously upset Australia in the first Test in Darwin, securing their maiden Test win Down Under, Mitchell Starc's 10-wicket performance in the second Test propelled the hosts to a resounding 10-wicket victory.

This result not only leveled the series at 1-1 but also cost Bangladesh valuable points in the WTC standings.

Currently sitting at fifth place in the nine-team table, India has an opportunity to leapfrog Bangladesh and reclaim fourth place by defeating Sri Lanka in the upcoming second Test in Colombo. Meanwhile, Bangladesh remains fourth in the rankings, but their points percentage (PCT) has plummeted from 66.67 after their Darwin triumph to 55.56. They now boast 50 points from six matches, with three wins, two losses, and one draw. In contrast, India trails behind Bangladesh with 64 points and a PCT of 53.33 from 10 matches.

India's path to the top two is relatively straightforward: a victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo will secure their position above Bangladesh and in the fourth spot. Presently, Australia tops the table with 96 points and an impressive 80 PCT from 10 matches, while South Africa secures the second position with a 75 PCT. New Zealand rounds out the top three with a 72.22 PCT. Sri Lanka, India's current opponents, stand sixth with a PCT of 33.33, followed by England, the West Indies, and Pakistan in the remaining three positions.

Despite their defeat, Bangladesh has still made a significant ranking milestone. Their Test campaign has propelled them to No.6 in the latest ICC Test rankings, their highest-ever position. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed his joy at reaching this milestone, stating that it would be even better if they had played better cricket in this Test match.

He also called for more frequent Test matches for Bangladesh in Australia, as the team has only played there once since 2003. Shanto emphasized the importance of experiencing the Australian conditions to help players adjust and play more effectively.