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Australian pacer Mitchell Starc is having a wonderful time with the ball in the Ashes 2021-22. Ahead of the ongoing fourth Test in Sydney, Starc was already the highest wicket-taker in the series with 14 scalps to his name.
The left-armer added one more to his tally when he came to bowl in the first innings against England on the third day. Starc drew the first blood when he dismissed English opener Haseeb Hameed, with a peach of a delivery.
It all happened during the 10th over of England’s first innings when Starc stormed in and bowled a fullish delivery around middle and off. Hameed went for the straight drive with his front foot going nowhere, resulting in the huge gap between bat and pad.
The wobble seam did the rest, as after pitching, the red cherry came back in sharply, passing through the gates and shattering the middle stump of the batter.
Here is the video:
"You could drive a bus through there!"
Mitchell Starc nails the pegs of Haseeb Hameed #OhWhatAFeeling #Ashes | @Toyota_Aus pic.twitter.com/kDiypgSBrA
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2022
Jonny Bairstow’s ton keeps England in the fight
England, however, made a slight comeback after their top-order failure at the SCG. The visitors were four wickets down for just 36 before Ben Stokes (66) and Jonny Bairstow joined forces to take England out of trouble.
The pair of Stokes and Bairstow formed a crucial 128-run stand for the fifth wicket to help England come out of hot water. However, Stokes and Jos Buttler (0) fell in quick successions. Then, Bairstow formed yet another vital partnership with Mark Wood (39 off 41) of 81 runs for the seventh wicket to lead England’s fightback.
In the process, Bairstow hit his seventh century in Test cricket and stayed unbeaten on 103 to take England to 258/7 at stumps.
