Starc reveals plan behind Jaiswal’s first-ball dismissal in Adelaide
The Aussie frontline pacer sparked early breakthroughs as the hosts asserted authority over India on Day 1.
With the new ball in his hand for the second Test against India, Mitchell Starc scripted a euphoric start for Australia at the Adelaide Oval.
Steaming in to bowl to Yashasvi Jaiswal, Starc unleashed a ripper that zipped into the southpaw and trapped him flush before the wickets to hand Australia a wicket on the first ball.
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When asked at the end of the day’s play about his plan of action against India’s chief-run scorer from the Perth Test, Starc chuckled while stating, “At the stumps, hit the pads. That's it. Nothing special.”
Diving into his state of mind while bowling that first over, Starc added that targeting the stumps early on had always been his go-to mantra with the new ball for Australia.
“That’s been my role for a while: to attack the stumps and try and make early inroads. Pleased to sneak one past today. We know how important it is to make early inroads into this batting lineup,” he said.
“It’s always a nice way to start. It is a big Test match, it’s a big series.”
Starc went on to record his best-ever bowling figures in a Test innings - 6/48 - as Australia dismissed India for 180.
But not before all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy produced a blistering cameo down the order to earn the visitors a few crucial runs.
The Aussie quick was all-praise for the 21-year-old and the attacking brand of cricket that contemporary batters such as Reddy and Jaiswal have employed in Test cricket.
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“Yeah, the game’s changed. I guess that’s partly the T20-era. Some of these guys come up through IPL cricket and there’s no fear.
“There’s expectation to be good from the get-go. They’re quality players from the time they get into international cricket, no matter what their age is.
“We’ve obviously seen a little bit of Jaiswal before in the last week, had a fantastic innings, and then some of the shots (Nitish) Kumar Reddy played today. They were some special shots. Whether it’s T20 cricket or coming into Test cricket or no-fear cricket from the next generation, I’ve been around long enough to see it change a little bit.”
In response to India’s total, Australia had collected 86 runs by Stumps at the loss of just one wicket.
While Jasprit Bumrah had managed to get rid of Usman Khawaja in his opening burst, Marnus Labuschagne joined Nathan McSweeney to see through the day for the hosts without another loss.
Starc complemented the duo for absorbing the pressure in a phase, he believes, is the toughest to bat in pink-ball Tests.
“It’s a good way to finish the day. A good day all out. But inarguably, the hardest time to bat is that third session with the brand new pink ball. So, to finish the day one down, particularly from Marn and McSweeney, to fight through sustained pressure from a quality bowling attack and to come out the other end,” he said.
“We have a chance to go on tomorrow, it was fantastic from them. Obviously, a fair bit of outside noise. Very pleased for them.”