According to our Expected Wickets model, that's the best opening five overs of bowling in a Test innings since records began in 2006.
But you didn't need a model to tell you that. Absolutely immense from Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. #Ashes
— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) December 27, 2021
In the fifth over, Starc, after beating Zak Crawley's bat for the nth time, finally got the edge that carried straight to the keeper. On the next ball, Starc got the ball move off the pitch that crashed into Dawid Malan's pads and the umpire had no hesitation to give him out.
Even though Malan reviewed it, but umpire's call remained in favor of Australia as England's number three got out for a golden duck.
Joe Root once again had to come early and this time, had to face Starc's hattrick ball. The left-armer ran fast and bowled the perfect ball that beat Root's bat just by an inch as both fielders and the MCG crowd jumped on their feet.
Hat-trick balls don't get much closer than that!
Mitch Starc on fire and the MCG has erupted! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/lVniO4V0k1
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2021
It was the end of a perfect opener by Mitchell Starc.
