Ashes: Mitchell Starc picks wicket on first ball of the opening test; becomes only second bowler to do so
One of the biggest sporting events of the year got off with a bang. In the first test of the Ashes Series 2021/22, Mitchell Starc picked a wicket on the first ball of the match to get the proceedings underway. It was a perfect inswinging delivery aimed at the middle and leg. With his awkward stance, Rory Burns found himself falling over to his off-stump and ended up playing all around a pretty straight ball.
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— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 8, 2021
Starc became the only second bowler in history to achieve this comprehensive feat. The last bowler to claim it was Ernie McCormick of Australia in the year 1936. Although it was not only a record against Starc’s name. As Rory Burns now has the highest number of ducks (6) against his name in a calendar year.
This wicket was just the start of the horrible session about to unfold for England at Gabba. Soon after the dismissal of Burns, Hazlewood picked up two wickets to remove Dawid Malan and Joe Root for the score of six and naught, respectively. The final nail in the coffin for the session was hammered by Pat Cummins in the 13th over. He dismissed Ben Stokes to claim his first scalp as Australia’s Test captain.
Opener Haseeb Hameed and middle-order batter Ollie Pope put up a fight to end the first session at 59 for 4 for England.
