The second Ashes Test commenced in Brisbane with a whirlwind display of chaos, primarily driven by Australia’s Mitchell Starc. Following England’s rapid defeat in Perth, this match began with significant fluctuations during the first four overs.
Starc’s Early Impact
Australia announced a surprising change before the Test, opting to exclude spinner Nathan Lyon. Starc seized the opportunity to exert his influence immediately.
- 0.4 overs: England scored 4 runs with Zak Crawley finally breaking his duck with a stylish cover drive.
- 0.6 overs: Starc struck for the first time, dismissing Ben Duckett on his first delivery, marking Duckett’s second duck in the series.
- 2.3 overs: Ollie Pope fell victim to Starc’s spell with an ill-timed cut, showcasing England’s poor judgment early in the match.
- 2.6 overs: Joe Root narrowly avoided dismissal when a potential catch was dropped by Steve Smith.
Critical Moments for England
The frantic opening resulted in England finding themselves at 11 for 2 after 2.6 overs, highlighting the immense pressure Starc placed on their batting lineup. This situation marked the first instance in Ashes history where England’s openers scored three ducks in the first two Tests.
Unreviewed Decisions
At 3.5 overs, a potential wicket from Michael Neser raised questions. Crawley edged a delivery, and despite an appeal, teammates hesitated to support Neser’s decision. Technology indicated a slight mark, but it was insufficient to overturn the on-field call.
Starc’s Record Achievements
Starc’s impressive early performance continued his remarkable series tally, bringing his wickets to 12. His accomplishments echo those of Mitchell Johnson from the 2013-14 Ashes series.
- At 35 years old, Starc tied with Wasim Akram for the most wickets by a left-arm pacer, both achieving 414 Test wickets.
- This marked Starc’s 26th instance of taking a wicket in the first over of an innings.
- With 83 wickets in day-night Tests, Starc remains the leading wicket-taker, significantly ahead of compatriot Pat Cummins.
As the Test unfolds, it remains to be seen how England’s batting can recover from such a tumultuous start against a formidable Australian attack.
