Mitchell Starc records his sixth fifer in Day-Night Tests: Stats
What's the story
After taking a 10-wicket haul in Perth, Mitchell Starc deflated the England batting line-up in the 2nd Ashes Test at The Gabba, Brisbane. As has been the case, Starc shone with the pink ball, taking six wickets on Day 1. He was clearly the pick of Australia's bowlers as England finished with 325/9 at stumps. Notably, Starc recorded his sixth fifer in Day-Night Tests.
Start
Fiery start from Starc
As England elected to field, Starc once again dazzled with the pink ball, giving Australia a breakthrough in the first over. He sent Ben Duckett back for a golden duck. While Michael Neser shared the new ball with Starc, the latter next removed Ollie Pope for a three-ball duck. Starc was on fire before Zak Crawley and Joe Root added a century stand.
Wickets
Starc takes a fifer
After the Crawley-Root stand was broken, Harry Brook came out with a positive intent. He (31) became Starc's next victim in the 40th over. With Ben Stokes's run-out reducing England to 210/5, Starc removed Jamie Smith before dismissing Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse in the same over. While a final-wicket stand took England past 320, Starc finished Day 1 with 6/71 in 19 overs.
Stats
Sixth fifer in pink-ball Tests
Starc continues his dominance in Day-Night Tests, taking his sixth five-wicket haul. No other bowler has more than two fifers with the pink ball. With 85-plus scalps, Starc is the highest wicket-taker in Day-Night Test history. He is the only bowler with 50-plus wickets in this regard. Overall, Starc claimed his 18th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Milestone
Most successful left-arm pacer in Tests
With his third wicket, Starc unlocked a massive achievement in the Test format. He became the most successful left-arm seamer (Tests), going past the legendary Wasim Akram. Starc surpassed Akram with his 415th wicket. The former Pakistan speedster took 414 wickets from 104 Tests at an average of 23.62. He owns 25 fifers and 5 match hauls of 10 wickets.