The China Mail - Cummins hails 'sharp' Australia as they get back to winning ways

The hosts were upset last week in Darwin by nine wickets -- their first red-ball game since their Ashes series victory over England wrapped up in January.

Cummins said it was critical that they responded, and he was happy with the manner of the victory.

"I thought everyone was really sharp," he said. "It's a bit like the opposite of last week.

"If you get a really good first hour or two, it can set up the rest of the match."

Australia couldn't have asked for a better start to the second Test on Saturday, with Mitchell Starc producing a devastating masterclass to take five wickets in just 22 balls.

It left Bangladesh reeling and they never recovered, all out for 64 with Starc taking 6-12.

"I don't think we can expect to get six for 20, or whatever we had, every match. But it was a great start and we didn't really let up after that," said Cummins.

"A lot of things went right these couple of days, and a lot of things went wrong last week. We needed to bounce and it was a great couple of days for the lads."

The two-Test showdown was the beginning of an intense period of up to 21 Tests in 12 months that also includes series against South Africa, New Zealand and India.

Australia hope to culminate the run in the World Test Championship final before a return blockbuster Ashes showdown in England.

While opener Matt Renshaw failed to fire in his first Test since 2023 at Mackay, he is expected to be on the plane for a white-ball series then three Tests in South Africa in September-October.

Cummins and Starc both indicated in Mackay that they were keen to play at least some of that white-ball series.

The big question marks out of the Bangladesh Tests were the form of number three Marnus Labuschagne and whether Travis Head is best suited to open or should drop down the order.

Allrounder Cameron Green came into the series under pressure after a lean spell, but a century in Darwin and a gutsy 67 in Mackay shut down his critics.

"He was in total command of his batting this whole series, so really happy for him," said Cummins of Green.

"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. He's now putting up some really solid performances in Test cricket. Lots of cricket coming up, and hopefully he continues it on."

B.Carter--ThChM