Mitchell Starc Sets the Tone as Australia Tighten Their Grip at the SCG
If there’s one name that keeps coming up on day four of the fifth Ashes Test, it’s Mitchell Starc. Once again, he was right at the centre of the action, reminding everyone why this series has felt like one of the finest stretches of his long Test career. From the moment England walked out to bat at the SCG, it was clear that pressure was going to be applied, and it was Starc who delivered it almost immediately.
Zak Crawley’s dismissal summed up the story. An inswinger was shaped beautifully, curling back just enough to trap Crawley lbw for one. No wild shot was played, no obvious mistake was made, yet the batter was gone. It was the kind of wicket that comes from pure skill and confidence, and it bookended a frustrating series for Crawley in brutal fashion. The decision was reviewed, hope briefly flickered, but umpire’s call stood, and England were on the back foot yet again.
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Starc’s influence, though, hasn’t been limited to that single moment. Throughout the series, and again on this morning, his pace and movement have forced batters into survival mode. Ben Duckett was rattled by a ferocious lifter that nearly took his nose off, while Jacob Bethell had to stay sharp as Starc mixed up full inswingers with steep bounce. Even when wickets weren’t falling every over, discomfort was being created, and that matters just as much in Test cricket.
By this stage of the match, Australia’s dominance had already been established. Their massive first-innings total of 567 had given them a commanding lead, and England, trailing by more than 100 runs at lunch, were left trying to piece together something meaningful under relentless pressure. Starc, along with Scott Boland, ensured there was no sense of release. Boland may have been the most economical, but Starc remained the strike weapon, the bowler who always looked capable of changing the game with one delivery.
What stands out most is that this is happening late in Starc’s career. At 35, with countless miles in his legs, he appears sharper, smarter, and more controlled than ever. His ability to swing the new ball, attack the stumps, and still unleash raw pace has made him arguably Australia’s most influential player of the series. If there’s an award for impact, it’s hard to look past him.
As the match edges towards its conclusion, and possibly the end of the series before lunch, one thing feels certain. This Ashes campaign will be remembered as the one where Mitchell Starc wasn’t just dangerous, he was decisive.
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