Mitchell Starc Achieves Historic Milestone in Day-Night Test

Starc's Remarkable Day-Night Achievement

Australian cricket veteran Mitchell Starc has made history by becoming one of the few players to score over 50 runs and take five wickets in a day-night Test match. This remarkable achievement occurred on Day 3 of the second Ashes Test against England at the Gabba on Saturday, marking him as only the third cricketer to reach this milestone.

Joining an Elite Group

Starc's accomplishment places him alongside Dilruwan Perera and Jason Holder. Perera was the first to achieve this feat during a Test in Dubai against Pakistan in 2017, followed by Holder, who did so in a Test match against Sri Lanka in Bridgetown in 2018.

Record-Setting Number Nine Batsman

In addition to his recent achievement, Starc holds the record for the most runs scored by a number nine batsman in Test cricket. He has accumulated 1,408 runs across 64 Tests and 77 innings, averaging 22.34, with eight fifties and a top score of 99. This surpasses England's Stuart Broad, who has 1,389 runs in 67 Tests at an average of 19.84, including one century and three fifties.

Summary of the Ashes Match

In the ongoing match, Joe Root played a pivotal role for England, scoring an impressive 138* before being left stranded as Jofra Archer was caught out by Labuschagne off Brendan Doggett's bowling, leading England to a total of 334 runs. Starc's outstanding bowling performance saw him take 6 wickets for 75 runs, marking his second five-wicket haul in this Ashes series and the 18th of his Test career.

Australia responded strongly, finishing their first innings at 511 runs, thus establishing a 177-run lead. Key contributions came from Jake Weatherald (72), Marnus Labuschagne (65), captain Steve Smith (61), wicketkeeper Alex Carey (63), and Starc himself, who scored 77 runs.