Brisbane: A light-hearted jibe from India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal may have fired up Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, resulting in a scintillating performance during the second Test in Adelaide.
Jaiswal, who scored a brilliant 161 in the series opener in Perth, had quipped that Starc was "bowling too slow" during his innings. The remark, while playful, seemed to spark something in Starc, who dismissed Jaiswal for a golden duck with a stunning delivery on the very first ball of the second Test.
Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting reflected on this exchange during The ICC Review, suggesting that Jaiswal’s comment provided Starc with some extra motivation. "Mitchell Starc is generally a level-headed guy, but I think that smile he wears might sometimes mask the fire burning inside," Ponting observed.
Starc’s fiery spell in Adelaide earned him career-best figures of 6/48 in the first innings, setting the tone for Australia’s dominant 10-wicket victory that levelled the series at 1-1. Ponting credited Starc’s performance and the contributions of other key players, including skipper Pat Cummins and batter Travis Head, for Australia’s resurgence after their Perth defeat.
Ponting noted, "When Australia lost the toss, it was up to the likes of Cummins and Starc to lead from the front. Starc’s first-ball dismissal of Jaiswal was crucial—it set the tone for the entire match."
At 34, Starc remains a cornerstone of Australia’s bowling attack, amassing an impressive 692 wickets across formats. He has been a pivotal figure in Australia’s triumphs, including two ICC Cricket World Cup titles (2015, 2023), the T20 World Cup (2021), and the ICC World Test Championship (2023).
Ponting lauded Starc’s evolution as a bowler, highlighting his consistency and adaptability. "He’s as effective now as ever, with his pace still touching the mid-140s km/h and his accuracy greatly improved. His pink-ball record is exceptional, partly because of its similarity to the white ball, where he has always excelled."
As the series heads to Brisbane for the third Test at the Gabba, both teams will look to gain the upper hand in the battle for a spot in the ICC World Test Championship Final.
With Starc in sublime form and the series tantalisingly poised, fans can expect more fireworks as the action unfolds Down Under.
