'You're kidding': Mitchell Starc's 85-year Ashes first stuns fans
Mitchell Starc produced a moment of magic to dismiss England opener Rory Burns with the first ball of the Ashes series at the Gabba.
Starc charged in and skittled the stumps as he became the first bowler in 85 years to take a wicket with the first ball as he sent the Gabba in raptures.
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Burns was beaten for pace as his leg stump was rattled to put the Aussies right on the front foot on Day 1.
Starc became just the fourth bowler in 140 years of Ashes cricket to take a wicket first ball and the first since 1936.
In 1936, Australia's Ernest McCormick dismissed England's Thomas Worthington at Brisbane.
The cricket world was in a frenzy over the incredible start to the Ashes series for the Aussies.
UNBELIEVABLE!
FIRST BALL, Mitch Starc bowls Rory Burns around his legs!#Ashes pic.twitter.com/45siNqldHA— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 8, 2021
MITCHELL STARC!!
Good things happen to good people #TheAshes @7Cricket 🏏— Melanie McLaughlin (@Mel_Mclaughlin) December 8, 2021
Hell yeah Mitch Starc!!!!!! You ripper! Stoked for him! Unbelievable. Filled with joy.
— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_Meadows) December 8, 2021
Starc’s just taken a wicket with the first ball of the freaking Ashes series and Warne is highlighting how it wasn’t a good pill. How good is cricket.
— Daniel Cherny 📰 (@DanielCherny) December 8, 2021
Mitchell Starc destroying the stumps on the first ball of the first day of the first Ashes test. It’s an omen that it’s gonna be a great summer baby!!!
— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) December 8, 2021
First ball!
Got him!
Pommy on his way back to the Pavilion. In-swinger that looked like it was going down the leg-side.
Welcome to Australia!#TheAshes— Peter FitzSimons (@Peter_Fitz) December 8, 2021
Yes you bloody beauty Mitchell Starc!! 😱 Sorry everyone for the scream. #AUSvENG
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) December 8, 2021
Warne pretending Starc meant that. We’ve reach peak #Ashes already!
— Rhodes (@Tom_Rhodes) December 8, 2021
You’re kidding. A wicket from Starc. First ball of the series. What a start #ashes
— Grace Stranger (@gracestranger) December 8, 2021
Moments later, Josh Hazlewood dismissed Dawid Malan to leave England reeling.
Stuart Broad left out of England XI
Before the start of play, England made a huge selection call for the first Ashes Test, omitting veteran quick Stuart Broad for the clash at the Gabba.
Captain Joe Root confirmed his XI before winning Wednesday's toss and choosing to bat first.
With fellow quick Jimmy Anderson's absence confirmed on Tuesday, it means the tourists will have a bowling attack of Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes and spinner Jack Leach.
Superstar allrounder Ben Stokes will also chip in with the ball in what will be his first competitive match since July.
Cummins, Australia's 47th Test captain, will be leading his country for the first time after the fall of predecessor Tim Paine due to a sexting scandal.
with AAP
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