Mitchell Starc breaks multiple records in pink-ball Ashes Test against England

BRISBANE: Australian pacer Mitchell Starc once again demonstrated why he is one of the most lethal bowlers in pink-ball cricket during the second Ashes Test at the Gabba.

Starc produced a stunning opening spell, dismissing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks, putting England under early pressure and setting the tone for the day. His exceptional performance also helped him achieve several records.

The day-night Test began with England winning the toss and electing to bat. Australia, missing Pat Cummins, fielded an all-pace attack, leaving veteran spinner Nathan Lyon out of the XI for only the second time at home since 2012.

Starc struck on the final ball of his first over, sending Ben Duckett back for a golden duck with a full outswinger that edged to Marnus Labuschagne at slip.

In his next over, he dismissed Ollie Pope, who chopped the delivery onto his stumps for another duck.

With Duckett’s wicket, Starc now has 83 wickets in day-night Tests — the most by any bowler in the world, 40 ahead of teammate Pat Cummins, who sits second with 43 wickets.

Additionally, the left-arm pacer became the first bowler in history to take 20 wickets against a single team (England) in pink-ball Tests.

Top Wicket-Takers in Pink-Ball Tests Against Single Team:

• 20* – Mitchell Starc vs England
• 17 – Mitchell Starc vs West Indies
• 16 – Shamarh Joseph vs Australia
• 16 – Alzarri Joseph vs Australia

When this news was filed, England, batting first, were 166-3 in 36 overs. Opening batter Zak Crawley led the innings with 76 runs off 93 balls, including 11 fours. 

Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope, who had been well-set, were both dismissed for ducks by Mitchell Starc.

Meanwhile, Joe Root and Harry Brook steadied the innings with a crucial partnership, with Root unbeaten on 61 off 99 deliveries and Brook contributing 24 runs.