Mitchell Starc’s place in the starting eleven was being questioned by many greats, including Shane Warne. Here’s what the retired Aussie spinner had to say when talking about Starc’s place in playing eleven for The Ashes:
“Mitchell needs to find a bit of rhythm and some form. He had a really poor WC and isn’t bowling well enough. It’s too important at Gabba. I am all in for Jhyle Richardson.”
Now though, Mitch Starc has made sure Shane Warne is forced to eat his own words courtesy of his brilliant bowling performance.
Mitchell Starc’s yorker cleans up Rory Burns
England won the toss and elected to bat first. Root wanted his men to pile up big runs. Probably. However, his decision of batting first backfired as soon the game began. New Australian skipper, Patrick Cummins assigned first-over duties to Mitchell Starc.
His faith was instantly repaid by the 31 y/o left-armer as Mitch Starc opened his spell with his trademark yorker to England opener Rory Burns. The delivery was angling away from the leg-stump. Regardless, it swung back in very late before it landed inches away from Mr.Burn’s leg-stump.
Post pitching, Starc’s electrifying delivery tailed back-in and rattled the sticks. For some reason, Burns had walked away from the line of the ball and thus, he had zero chances of making contact with the ball. He played all over it. Here’s the video.
What a start, Mitchell Starc! 🔥🔥🔥 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/NtycXQchty
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 8, 2021
Not only did Mitch Starc smack his critics in the face with this delivery, he also made sure that The Ashes 2021-22 got off to an internet-breaking start. Later, Mitchell Starc also foxed England deputy Jos Buttler who had lead England’s short recovery.
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Sure, Mitchell Starc was breathing fire throughout his 12 over spell where he scalped two wickets for 35 runs. But Hazlewood and Cameron Green also chipped in with a combined tally of 3 wickets.
Nonetheless, the real game-changer was Kangaroo Skipper Pat Cummins himself. Leading his test side for the very first instance in his career, Cummins was spot on with his bowling changes. With the ball in hand, Pat was even more menacing and he completed a five-wicket haul for just 38 runs. A combined effort by Australia’s four-pronged pace attack restricted England’s first innings total to 147.
