Starc’s All-Round Brilliance Puts Australia on Course for Gabba Victory
Mitchell Starc’s magnificent performance with both bat and ball has placed Australia in a commanding position at the Gabba Test, on the cusp of victory. Starc, the potent fast bowler, showcased significant batting prowess, scoring a vital half-century to bolster Australia’s lead. This dual contribution has left England in a precarious situation as the match nears its conclusion.
Starc Shines with Bat and Ball
On Saturday, the second Ashes Test saw Starc, batting at number eight, score a quickfire 77 off 141 balls. This crucial knock contributed to Australia establishing a 177-run lead on the first innings. Following his batting heroics, Starc then turned his attention to dismantling England’s batting lineup under the Gabba floodlights, securing two key wickets.
England found themselves struggling at 134 for six at the close of play on day three, still trailing by 43 runs. The formidable bowling attack, including Starc, was ably supported by contributions from Michael Neser and Scott Boland, who also claimed two wickets each. This bowling effort effectively countered England’s early aggressive start. From SindhNews.com, reports indicate that the home crowd witnessed a dramatic turnaround.
Starc’s Impact on the Game
The final session proved disastrous for England. Their collapse of 6-89 was a stark contrast to the solid 45-run opening partnership between Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. Such rapid dismissals have led to a grim outlook for the visitors, with the series deficit potentially reaching 2-0. This scenario follows a pattern of difficult campaigns for England in Australia.
Scott Boland commented on the night session’s effectiveness, stating, “We thought the ball was going to come alive… and we just wanted to put as many balls as we could in the right areas.” Coaches, like Marcus Trescothick of England, acknowledged the challenging nature of the game, noting that “when we don’t… we play bad shots and that gets highlighted.”
The match concluded with Australia firmly in control, demonstrating a strong performance across all facets of the game. Starc’s exceptional display, embodying both batting resilience and bowling dominance, has been instrumental in pushing Australia towards a significant win.