Sheffield Shield: Mitchell Starc shines for NSW with four wickets
What's the story
Star Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has set the stage for the 2025/25 Ashes series against England with a stellar performance in the Sheffield Shield. Playing for New South Wales, Starc bagged four wickets on Day 1 of the match against Victoria in Sydney. His impressive bowling figures of 4/91 included dismissing four out of Victoria's top six batsmen. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon also contributed to the team's success by taking two wickets (2/65).
Spell
Starc dismisses four batters
Electing to bat first, Victoria copped an initial blow in the form of Harry Dixon. Starc had him lbw. While Lyon dismissed Marcus Harris, the likes of Campbell Kellaway and Peter Handscomb took Victoria past 100. The left-arm seamer returned to dismiss Kellaway and Oliver Peake in quick succession. His final wicket came in the form of Sam Harper, who scored 54.
Team effort
Hazlewood bowls an 18-over spell without a wicket
Along with Starc and Lyon, Josh Hazlewood bowled an 18-over spell without a wicket (0/54). Another member of the Ashes squad, Sean Abbott, took one wicket as Victoria ended the opening day at 340/7. Starc and Hazlewood are all set to lead Australia's pace attack alongside Scott Boland in the opening clash against England. Australia's captain Pat Cummins will miss at least the first Test against England due to a back injury.
Information
Starc eyes milestone of 600 FC wickets
Starc is closing in on 600 First-Class wickets, having taken 589. He also eyes his 25th fifer in red-ball cricket. The left-arm pacer has taken 402 wickets from 100 Tests for Australia at an average of 27.02. His tally includes 16 fifers.
Information
Australia's squad for 1st Ashes Test
Squad: Steve Smith (captain), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, and Beau Webster.