Australia have made a resounding start as they lock horns with England in the do-or-die clash at the Old Trafford in Manchester. Ace fast bowler Mitchell Starc provided a great start to the visitors picking two quick wickets. Meanwhile, Starc delivered an unplayable in-swinger to get the better of Joe Root.
Both teams came into the game with series tied at 1-1 with everything to play for in the final game. While the Aussies are hoping to win the series, England are keen to finish the home season on a high. The host won the toss and elected to bat first; however, the decision didn’t go in their favour.
Starc removes Joe Root
Mitchell Starc made the new ball talk with those in-swingers coming in. He picked two quick in succession to gave his side a head start. While Jason Roy departed giving a catch to Glenn Maxwell off the first ball of the contest, Root was plumbed in front of the stumps.
The tall and lanky Starc pitched one on a good length and gets in to swing sharply. Root was trying to play across the line but got beaten due to the enormous swing. Thee ball struck in front of middle and the umpire raised his finger immediately. Joe Root had a word with Jonny Bairstow but decided to walk back as his partner thinks, it was plumb.
Watch the video here:
A nightmare start.
Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/m1COueGfgA#ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/81HGVQH6ig
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 16, 2020
Meanwhile, England escaped the Mitchell Starc’s hat-trick as Eoin Morgan and Bairstow tried to revive the innings. Both of them tried to take the attack to the opposition and played some shots to add 50 runs for the third wicket. But soon Adam Zampa chipped in to remove the English skipper
The home side was in dire trouble with responsibilities on Bairstow and Jos Buttler. But things didn’t work well for the host lost one more to reel at 96 for four. England will want a big knock from Jonny Bairstow as they aim to post a 250+ target for Australia.