Australia vs England 2nd Ashes Test Day 3: Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc put up an all-round performance on Day 3 of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba, smashing a fighting 77 with the bat and claiming 6/75 with the ball to become only the third cricketer ever to score 50-plus runs and take a five-wicket haul on a day-night Test.
Australia vs England 2nd Ashes Test Day 3: Mitchell Starc Scores Fifty
Starc joins the elite list alongside Dilruwan Perera and Jason Holder as the only players to combine a fifty and a fifer in a pink-ball Test.
He now becomes the highest-run Test No. 9 batter ever, surpassing Stuart Broad with 1,408 runs at No. 9, including eight fifties.
Australia vs England 2nd Ashes Test Day 3: Mitchell Starc Goes Past Wasim Akram
Starc's career has always been about being a strike bowler. Earlier in this series, he became the most successful left-arm pacer in Test history, surpassing Wasim Akram.
Now, when he contributes with the bat under pressure, it elevates him from elite bowler to genuine all-round match-winner.
Australia vs England 2nd Ashes Test Day 3: Australia Lead England by 177 Runs in the First Innings
Australia had posted a commanding first-innings total of 511 after bowling England out for 334.
The 77 from Starc added depth to the lead, and his 6/75 made sure England had a tough chase on their hands in the second innings. Australia are firmly in control of the second Test.
Disclaimer: This report is based on the match situation as of the latest available session on Day 3 of the 2nd Ashes Test between Australia and England. The match is still ongoing, and the conditions, scores, or outcomes may change as play progresses.