Mitchell Starc’s tactics of coming round the wicket on a bouncy Perth pitch worked against James Vince. On the fifth ball of the 30th over of England’s second innings, Starc bowled what has already been touted as ‘ball of the summer’ or ‘ball of the series’ by many. Vince, who was batting on 55, was left clueless by a near-unplayable delivery bowled to him on Day 4. The ball though pitched at good length, instead of bouncing towards his pads, drifted away from his bat after hitting the crack on the Perth pitch.
Vince looked comfortable before the delivery as he was trying to build a partnership with David Malan for the fourth wicket. But he was shocked by the drastic change in the trajectory of the ball.
Here’s the video of Starc’s wicket –
That’s just absurd #Ashes pic.twitter.com/TtkEDPjbJH
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 17, 2017
Here’s a comparison of the ball pitching in the same area by Starc and where they went –
Yeah that’s done a bit! @Specsavers #Ashes pic.twitter.com/tpcgiVFCoC
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 17, 2017
‘Every time you look at that delivery, it just gets better and better’ #Ashes pic.twitter.com/ED9xzRCYsR
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 17, 2017
Even Pakistan bowling legend Wasim Akram seemed to enjoy Starc’s delivery –
The legend approves #Ashes pic.twitter.com/n3o9uWvwCP
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 17, 2017
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England are currently struggling to keep their wickets intact, having lost four wickets in the second innings already. They are trailing by 127 runs in the second innings after a splendid show by Australian batsmen, especially skipper Steven Smith and Mitchell Marsh.
Currently, rain has played spoilsport on Day 4. This might work as a blessing in disguise for Joe Root & Co as they are heading towards an Ashes series loss. On the other hand, Steven Smith & Co will be hoping for the rain to stop so that they can try to wrap up the second innings and register a big win by an innings in the third Test.
