Australia v New Zealand First Test day three: Mitchell Starc’s five-wicket haul helps Aussies overcome Josh Hazlewood blow

Overlooked for four of the five Ashes Tests, Mitchell Starc’s career was arguably at its lowest point. The paceman has revealed how he turned his form around after snaring his 13th five-wicket haul against New Zealand in Perth.

Mitchell Starc is applauded from the field on day three after taking five wickets.

Mitchell Starc has revealed how a desire to take pressure off his teammates has propelled him to a stunning post-Ashes revival.

The pink ball prince completed the 13th five-wicket haul of his career with a ferocious bouncer which added Colin de Grandhomme to the four victims he had already claimed under lights.

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Australia started day three undaunted by the prospect of being a fast bowler down, and in 40 degree heat wasted no time in skittling New Zealand for just 166 – with Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Marnus Labuschagne all helping Starc complete a quick kill.

Leading by 250 runs, a ruthless Australia seized the chance to dictate terms and manage the loss of Josh Hazlewood (calf) as effectively as possible.

At the main break Australia was 0-1 after David Warner and Joe Burns were forced to navigate one over.

Starc was banished from four of the five Tests during the Ashes series earlier this year in what was arguably the low point of his otherwise stellar career.

The Australian bowling strategy centred on suffocating England and clearly there were doubts raised over whether Starc could bowl as tightly they were after.

But rather than kick stones, the 29-year-old has bounced back an even better bowler than the man who already possessed one of the most devastating strike-rates in the history of the game – having already bulldozed Pakistan with 14 wickets in the recent series.

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To his credit, Starc took some hard truths on board and has focused on returning a more team-orientated bowler.

Mitchell Starc is clapped by his teammates after snaring his fifth scalp on day three.

“There was a big or conscious effort to be more economical group as a group through the UK tour and that was a big part of our bowling plans for the Ashes,” Starc said.

“So (I’ve taken) a little bit out of that and probably (some) technical changes have helped me to not sacrifice any pace but be more consistent and help play a part in the group for the other guys as well.

“In the past I’ve perhaps leaked runs at certain stages and the other guys have probably had to work a bit harder. It’s nice to still be able to bowl fast but keep the runs at a controlled rate as well.”

Mitchell Starc appeals for the wicket of Colin de Grandhomme, which was given out despite DRS showing no contact with the Kiwi batsman’s glove.

Starc said based on consistency, he was in career-best form.

“Yeah it probably is. I think those little technical changes I made at the start of the summer have been a big part of that,” he said.

“I’m finding less can go wrong when I’m more compact and having that ball on my back hip (running in).”

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The scalp of all-rounder de Grandhomme claimed by Starc wasn’t without its controversy though, with umpire Aleem Dar taking an eternity to give the New Zealander out caught behind.

Replays were completely inconclusive as to whether the ball had hit de Grandhomme’s glove as it brushed past his helmet on the way through to Steve Smith’s reliable hands at slip – but under controversial rules, the benefit of the doubt goes with the original decision.

However, New Zealand did suffer one lucky break when Australia butchered a simple run-out of keeper BJ Watling.

Nathan Lyon seized on a running mix-up and threw to the keeper’s end, only for Tim Paine to fail to glove the throw and let Watling off the hook.

Mitchell Starc is applauded from the field on day three after taking five wickets.

Labuschagne had also run into the stumps but his presence couldn’t necessarily be used as an excuse for Paine’s spill.

Cummins bowled Watling a short time later to make up for the error, before Lyon produced the key moment of the session when he snared the prized wicket of Ross Taylor for 80.

Taylor made a massive double hundred against Australia when he was last in Perth, but for all his masterful work under lights the previous night with wickets falling around him, Taylor couldn’t keep down an edge off Lyon to, who else but Smith, at first slip.

Australia were forced to face one over before lunch, but in comical scenes the curator didn’t get the memo and was still rolling the pitch when players from both teams were in place ready to start.

Originally published as Australia v New Zealand First Test day three: Mitchell Starc’s five-wicket haul helps Aussies overcome Josh Hazlewood blow