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Ashes 2023 | Mitchell Starc’s Four-Fer Disrupts Harry Brook Attack As Australia Draw First Blood At Oval

image-lklgwk86Mitchell Starc celebrates a wicket on Day 1 (Twitter)

Australia, after dismantling hosts England for 283 on Day 1, batted out the remaining 25 overs at the expense of struggling opener David Warner.

Earlier in the day, Harry Brook motored along the English innings with an impactful 85 before Mitchell Starc’s thunderbolts polished off their tail.

Brook’s 85, Starc’s four-fer sums up England innings

England, in quest of levelling the 2023 Ashes, continued their persistence with ‘BazBall’ in the all-important series-decider at The Oval. In doing so, they lost openers Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and number four Joe Root in quick succession, all within the opening session of the day.

Thereafter, Harry Brook and Moeen Ali formed the only other notable partnership of the innings beside the 62-run opening stand by sharing 111 runs for the fourth wicket. Ali, who sustained a groin injury during his stay at the crease, was cleaned up by Todd Murphy as England lost its fourth wicket at 184.

His dismissal sparked a lower-order batting collapse, with Mitchell Starc being the biggest benefactor of England’s downfall through his electric four-fer. The speedster was assisted by Josh Hazlewood and Todd Murphy by picking up two wickets each as the hosts folded up for 283 inside 55 overs.

Brook top-scored in the innings through his 91-ball 85, thus registering his fourth half-century of the series.

Khawaja, Labuschagne guide Australia safely till stumps

Usman Khawaja and David Warner looked confident in their 49-run textbook-styled partnership before the latter found edge off a high-flying Chris Woakes. Marnus Labuschagne joined Khawaja in the 17th over of the innings, and the duo guided their side until stumps without further casualty.

Khawaja (26*) and Labuschagne (2*) will now resume Australia’s first innings response at 61-1, still 222 runs away from England’s total.

Brief Scores:

England: 283 (54.4)
Harry Brook 85 (91), Ben Duckett 41 (41)
Mitchell Starc 4-82 (14.4), Todd Murphy 2-22 (6)

Australia: 61-1 (25)
Usman Khawaja 26* (75), David Warner 24 (52)
Chris Woakes 1-8 (5)

Australia trail by 222 runs