The Ashes: Mitchell Starc strikes in the first over once again to give Australia early ascendancy at Gabba
Death, taxes, and Mitchell Starc striking in the first over.
That’s how England’s openers must be feeling after falling victim to the veteran quick once again inside the opening half-a-dozen balls of the innings.
As a Josh Hazlewood-less Australia resisted the urge to recall Pat Cummins and made the bold call to go without Nathan Lyon, Starc was the sole member of the modern-day ‘big four’ to take to the Gabba.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.And he was quick to quell any fears about an understrength attack by making a stunning early statement. Starc produced a full delivery that slanted towards Ben Duckett’s off-stump and appeared to nip away, with the opener tickling an edge to Marnus Labuschagne at first slip.
It followed Zak Crawley falling victim to Starc in the opening over of both innings in Perth, with the left-armer casting a spell over the top of the England order.
All up, it was the 26th occurrence of Starc taking a scalp in the opening over of a Test innings, and the eighth time he’s done it in the first over of a Test - equalling the feat of England great Jimmy Anderson.
It also meant Starc now has a remarkable six wickets in opening overs from his past four innings, factoring in the three he took in the final innings of Australia’s tour of the West Indies earlier this year.
But he wasn’t done there on Thursday when it came to making an early impact. Just three deliveries after removing Duckett, Starc produced a follow-up strike in his second over, cashing in on a horror shot from Ollie Pope who chopped on while trying to cut.
That wicket drew him level with Wasim Akram for the equal-most by left-armers at Test level with 414.
