Australia vs Pakistan Day 1: Mitchell Starc masterclass has Pakistan 240 all out
Australia roared to life after a sluggish morning to knock Pakistan over cheaply as the much-vaunted attack delivered on its reputation with a ruthless end to the day.
Mitchell Starc roared back to prominence following his Ashes snubbing with a career-reviving performance at the Gabba.
If not for some fluky placement from 16-year-old Naseem Shah facing the first ball of his Test career, Starc might have marked his return with a stunning maiden hat-trick.
Shah survived … just … but six overs later Starc nailed him anyway and finished with dominant figures of 4-52 which showcased the fact Australia’s dynamic left-armer might just bounce back from the most disappointing chapter of his career a better bowler.
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Starc’s dynamic display came as his cartel comrades Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were hailed as the equal of any fast bowling double-act in history.
"It was quite a welcome to Test cricket," said Josh Hazlewood of Shah's baptism of fire.
"Starcy is one of the best at hitting the stumps, swinging it back down the line and he bowled a pretty good bouncer as well. It's pretty intimidating stuff.
"He's always been fantastic in Australia. HIs record is great. He's added another string to his bow with his control."
Pakistan’s openers dug in to turn the first Test into a war of attrition in the opening session, before Cummins and Hazlewood launched a brutal counter-attack which left the tourists shell shocked.
Five wickets fell for 19 runs after lunch and the day finished with Pakistan bowled out for 240.
Pakistani great Wasim Akram said he was shocked Starc was left out of four of Australia’s five Ashes Tests, and lauded the return of one of Test cricket’s most devastating match-winners.
“He is one of the premier bowlers in world cricket right now,” said Fox Cricket expert, Akram.
“He swings the ball, he’s got pace, he’s tall and has one of the best yorkers in world cricket.”
All of those features were on display as he out boxed a Pakistani outfit that were fearless at stages, but at others, flimsy.
Australia has produced dynamic duos like Lillee-Thomson and McGrath-Gillespie over the years, but former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Hazlewood-Cummins is the equal of any of the great spearhead partnerships.
Debate continues to rage about whether the world’s No.1 bowler Cummins should be promoted to open the bowling.
But he showed his rare talent as a player who can simply make things happen – making the first breakthrough when he found something no one else could in the wicket to snare opener Shan Masood after lunch.
Vaughan said Cummins and Hazlewood makes Australia a formidable opponent, no matter what question marks might hover over the batting order.
“What Australia have is an outstanding bowling attack,” said Vaughan.
“I think the combination of Cummins and Hazlewood in particular is right up there with the best.
“You can go back throughout all the ages of Test match cricket from the 70s to the 80s to the 90s to now. That pairing is one as a batsman that you’re going to have to be at your best to try and overcome it.”
Lee is adamant Cummins should open the bowling, but CricViz statistics supported the approach taken by captain Tim Paine – which is, that Starc and Hazlewood need the new ball more.
Cummins record changes very little no matter how old the red rock in his hands. The science is working well at the moment.
Australia also made a mini tactical breakthrough when Tim Paine successfully reviewed a caught behind appeal from Starc which had not excited the fast bowler.
During the Ashes, Australia battled to get their reviews right, and their wasting of chances was a damaging factor in them losing the third Test at Headingley.
Captain Paine indicated Australia has a new strategy.
Australia also got a lucky break when umpires gave Cummins the benefit of the doubt for the caught behind of Mohammad Rizwan, when replays appeared to show it was a front-foot no-ball.
Rizwan was 37 not out at the time and his wicket halted Pakistan’s attempt at a revival.
Originally published as Australia vs Pakistan Day 1: Mitchell Starc masterclass has Pakistan 240 all out
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