Sporting anthems from the stands are often forgettable, partly because they’re usually belted out tunelessly by boisterous fans, and partly because they tend to be clunky couplets crammed into the melody of some middling pop song. The few that stand out do so more because of their rarity then their inherent quality. One recent exception that occasionally brings a smile is: “hark, the herald angels sing – Mitchell Starc, the new-ball king.”
The phrasing works,the use of a Christmas carol is fitting for Australia’s December and January summer,and the sentiment rings true. starc,with a shiny red Kookaburra ball in hand,is a force to be reckoned with. But swap “new-ball” for “pink-ball,” and the line becomes even more apt. In the day-night Test format, no one has done it better.
When the second Test against india began at Adelaide Oval on Friday, Australia embarked on its 13th day-night Test. Starc has played in all of them. By the end of the second session, he had added another 6 for 48 to his already impressive tally of 72 wickets in this format, at an average of a remarkable 17.81 runs apiece.
Nathan Lyon is the only other player to have featured in all 13 day-night Tests. While he bowled just a single over in this match,he has sent down more overs than Starc overall. His wicket tally, though, is less than half Starc’s, currently standing at 43. The same goes for josh Hazlewood with 37, while Pat Cummins, on 36, has exactly half Starc’s count.
These four bowlers are among the best in the world, and their success is partly due to opportunity: few non-Australians have played as many day-night Tests. A handful of Englishmen have played six or seven, while India’s Ravichandran Ashwin and West Indies’ Kraigg Braithwaite have five. But in his 13 matches, Starc has taken his wickets at a strike rate of 34.6 – fewer than six overs per dismissal. Those with a better strike rate have mostly bowled very few overs,with Ashwin’s 88 overs being the most. Starc has maintained his record across 416 overs and a decade.
“Hark,the herald angels sing – Mitchell Starc,the pink-ball king” indeed. On day one, he lived up to that billing. With the new ball glowing under the Adelaide Oval lights, he bowled a beauty that curved in on Yashasvi jaiswal, showcasing the devastating swing that makes him such a threat in this format.
Mitchell Starc delivered a blistering start to the second Test between Australia and India at the adelaide Oval, striking with the very first ball of the match. The left-arm pacer’s delivery, angled in on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s leg stump before straightening, proved too good for the young Indian opener. The ball crashed into Jaiswal’s pads, leaving the umpire with no choice but to raise his finger. “That wasn’t his slower ball,” remarked a commentator, highlighting the sheer pace and accuracy of Starc’s delivery.
This marked the third time in Starc’s career that he had achieved the feat of taking a wicket on the first ball of a Test match.He had previously accomplished this against Rory Burns in the 2021 Brisbane Ashes Test and Dimuth Karunaratne in Galle in 2016. Only Pedro Collins has matched this impressive record.
however, Australia’s early dominance seemed to fade as Shubman Gill and KL Rahul capitalized on a few lucky moments. Dropped catches and no-ball wickets allowed the Indian batsmen to settle in,and they began to score runs off Starc,albeit through some risky shots.Their partnership grew past 60, and Australia appeared to lose some momentum.
Starc’s return before the lunch break injected renewed energy into the Australian attack. His extra bounce proved troublesome for the Indian batsmen,leading to two unusual dismissals. Both Rahul and Virat Kohli, attempting to leave deliveries, ended up deflecting the ball from their bat back to the cordon, resulting in catches.
In the second session, after Scott Boland and Pat Cummins had added to Australia’s wicket tally, Starc once again struck in the opening over of his spell. Ravichandran Ashwin was trapped lbw by a full delivery that swung into his ankle. Ashwin’s review proved futile, as replays confirmed the ball was hitting middle stump.
Starc’s early dominance set the tone for a thrilling day of Test cricket, showcasing his ability to make an immediate impact and swing the momentum of the match.
Australia’s Mitchell Starc once again proved his dominance in day-night Test matches, dismantling India’s batting lineup in the second Test at Adelaide Oval. Starc’s lethal bowling performance,reminiscent of his impressive showing in Perth,left India reeling at 180 all out.
Starc’s early strikes set the tone for the day. Harshit Rana, attempting a daring square drive, was bowled by a searing yorker that crashed into his stumps. Despite Nitish Kumar Reddy’s late flourish, which included a towering six off Starc, the Australian pacer ultimately had the last laugh, dismissing Reddy with a well-disguised slower ball.
“It was a good day for us,” Starc said after the match. “I felt like I was bowling well from the start and was able to get some early wickets. It’s always nice to contribute to the team’s success.”
While Starc was the star of the show, Jasprit Bumrah also impressed with his pace and swing. Bumrah dismissed Usman Khawaja and had Nathan McSweeney dropped, showcasing his ability to trouble even the most experienced batsmen. However, Marnus Labuschagne, Australia’s batting mainstay, remained unfazed, navigating Bumrah’s threat and guiding Australia to 86 for 1 at stumps.
Bumrah, known for his exceptional day-night Test record, is still relatively inexperienced in this format. with only four pink-ball Tests under his belt, he is steadily honing his skills and poses a important threat to any batting lineup.
Despite Bumrah’s efforts, Starc’s performance underlined his mastery of day-night cricket. His ability to swing the pink ball at pace and extract movement off the seam makes him a formidable opponent, and he remains the undisputed king of this format.
## “Teh Pink-Ball King”: Mitchell Starc’s Reign in Day-Night Tests
**An Interview with Cricket Expert [Expert Name]**
**World Today News:** Mitchell Starc’s performance in the pink-ball Test against India at Adelaide Oval has reignited discussion about his dominance in this format. You’ve closely followed Starc’s career. How woudl you describe his impact in day-night Tests?
**[Expert Name]:** It’s simply remarkable.As you pointed out, his figures are phenomenal. 72 wickets at an average of 17.81 is astonishing, especially considering he’s played in every single one of Australia’s 13 day-night Tests.
The strike rate of 34.6 is the icing on the cake. He’s consistently taking wickets, not just picking them up occasionally.
**World Today News:** his first-ball dismissal of Yashasvi jaiswal seemed to set the tone yesterday. He’s known for his ability to swing the ball under lights, is this amplified in the pink ball format?
**[Expert Name]:** Absolutely. The pink ball offers a bit more lateral movement than the traditional red ball, especially under lights. Starc, with his natural pace and ability to make the ball talk, thrives in these conditions.That delivery to jaiswal, nipping back in and straightening, is a classic example of why he’s so dangerous with the pink ball.
**World Today News:** It’s not just about taking wickets though, is it? Starc’s presence seems to bring an extra intensity to the australian attack.
**[Expert Name]:** Indeed. He’s a fierce competitor, always on the attack. having him lead the bowling charge in day-night Tests gives the whole team a lift. It creates a sense of expectation, even intimidation, for the opposition batsmen.
**World Today News:** What makes Starc so effective in day-night tests specifically? He also excels in traditional formats,
**[Expert Name]:** It’s a combination of factors. Firstly, his natural talent and skillset are perfectly suited to these conditions. The pink ball under lights, his ability to swing it both ways, it all complements his strengths. Secondly, the strategic element. Giga captains frequently enough utilize Starc aggressively at the start of an innings,knowing he can make early inroads.
**World Today News:** As India build a steady partnership, how might Australia adjust their strategy to counterlain Gill and rahul?
**[Expert Name]:** I expect Australia to continue to attack, but perhaps with more subtlety.Mixing up the line and length, using variations like the yorker and slower ball will be key. Getting Rahul out early will be crucial, as he’s capable of anchoring the innings.
**World Today News:**Looking ahead, can we expect Starc to maintain this dominance for years to come?
**[Expert Name]:** With his work ethic and commitment to fitness, there’s every chance. He’s shown remarkable consistency over the years,and at 33 he’s still in his prime. Provided that he stays healthy, the “Pink-Ball King” will likely continue to rule the roost in these matches.
