Mitchell Starc Sets Record with Stellar Performance in Ashes Test

Starc Achieves Historic Milestone

In a remarkable display during the Ashes series, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has made history by becoming the first cricketer to record 10 scores of fifty or more while batting at number nine or lower in Test cricket.

This achievement came during the third Test against England at the Adelaide Oval, where Starc scored a brisk 54 runs off 75 balls, hitting nine boundaries.

Throughout his career, Starc has proven to be a valuable asset for Australia, amassing 1,745 runs at an average of 24.57 from the number nine position, including nine fifties across 95 innings, with a personal best of 99.

His closest competitors are England's Stuart Broad, who has 2,305 runs in 127 Tests with one century and five fifties, and New Zealand's Daniel Vettori, who has 1,275 runs in 58 Tests, also with one century and five fifties, both having six fifty-plus scores.

Starc's performance in this Ashes series has been exceptional, scoring 143 runs in three Tests at an impressive average of 47.66, including two fifties. He ranks as the fifth-highest run-scorer in the series, while also taking 18 wickets at an average of 15.33, featuring two five-wicket hauls and best figures of 7/58.

At the conclusion of the session, England found themselves at 59/3, with Joe Root and Harry Brook remaining unbeaten. They trail Australia by 312 runs.

Australia began day two at 326/8, with Nathan Lyon and Starc at the crease. Starc quickly made an impact, hitting two boundaries off Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse.

He reached his second fifty of the series in just 73 balls, showcasing his continued form.

However, the momentum shifted when Archer dismissed Nathan Lyon for a mere 9 runs off 35 balls, leading to Australia's total of 371 all out in 91.2 overs.

Archer was the standout bowler for England, claiming 5 wickets for 53 runs, while Carse and Will Jacks contributed with two wickets each.

England's innings began aggressively, with Ben Duckett hitting four boundaries in the opening overs against Starc and captain Pat Cummins.

However, England's fortunes changed when Zak Crawley was caught by Alex Carey off Cummins' bowling for 9 runs, leaving England at 37/1.

Nathan Lyon made a significant impact, taking two wickets in the ninth over, dismissing Ollie Pope and then cleaning up Duckett, leaving England in a precarious position at 42/3.

Lyon's performance also saw him surpass Glenn McGrath to become Australia's second-highest Test wicket-taker, trailing only the legendary Shane Warne.

England managed to reach 50 runs in 12.4 overs, with Joe Root and Harry Brook ensuring no further losses during the session.

Earlier, Australia concluded day one at 326/8, with Alex Carey scoring his first Ashes century, making 106 runs off 143 balls, and Usman Khawaja contributing 82 runs off 126 balls.

Brief Scores: Australia: 371 (Alex Carey 106, Usman Khawaja 82, Jofra Archer: 5/53) vs England: 59/3 (Ben Duckett 29, Joe Root 11*, Nathan Lyon 2/14).