Ollie Pope. (Photo Source: Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc is making a strong statement with his performance in the second Test of Ashes 2023 at Lord’s after being benched by the team management for the first Test at Edgbaston. Starc was the pick of the bowlers for Australia in the first innings, as he picked 3/88 in 17 overs. In the second innings as well, the left-arm seamer once again wreaked havoc with the new ball getting two early wickets for his side.
Starc first dismissed Zak Crawley (3), who was strangled down the leg side in just the third over of the innings. The 33-year-old returned in the fifth over and produced a dream delivery to get rid of Ollie Pope. The swing master brought to the fore one of the deadliest weapons as he delivered a vicious in-swinger from over the wicket.
The ball shaped back in sharply to Pope and went through his defence, sending his middle stump for a toss. Commentators Michael Atherton and Ricky Ponting were left awestruck by Starc’s artistry as he brought England down to their knees.
Watch the delivery here:
No one does this better than Him. Mitchell Starc 🐐 pic.twitter.com/VjkOgf2AMh
— Ansh (@141Adelaide_) July 1, 2023
The matters got worse for England as Pat Cummins got the prized scalp of Joe Root (18). The England batter ended up edging it straight to David Warner at first slip. Harry Brook walked in next and could only survive three balls from Cummins as he got castled with a good length delivery that beat his bat and hit the top of the off. Following his wicket, England were in all sorts of trouble at 45/4 after 12.5 overs, chasing a target of 371.
Australia bundled out for 279 in the second innings
Earlier in the day, Australia were given a taste of their own medicine by England as they returned their favour and attacked them with a barrage of bouncers. The Australian batters got out trying to put runs on the board and get ahead in the game. As a result, they got bundled out for 279 with a lead of 370 runs in the second innings.
Usman Khawaja (77) top-scored for his side, the third time in the series, while Stuart Broad (4/65) was the pick of the bowlers for England.