Mitchell Starc silences critics amid England's shock 'kamikaze' act

Mitchell Starc has silenced his doubters and ripped through the England team in the first session on day 3 after some bizarre shot selections, which was summed up with Sir Geoffrey Boycott's reaction in the stands. England were ready to take control of the test against Australia resuming at four down, but Australia tore through the batting line-up in a 6-47 batting collapse that had the cricket world stunned.

Starc struggled on day 2 with the ball, but took the first two wickets having dismissed captain Ben Stokes after squaring him up on the second ball of the day. However, it was the next dismissal that had England greats Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen tearing out their hair.

SAD: Allan Border in heartbreaking news after Parkinson's Disease reveal

'STUPIDITY': England ripped after senseless wickets spark Ashes frustration

Brooks, having passed 50, was looking to attack early. However, he misjudged a Starc bouncer as he backed away from the delivery. Starc reacted superbly and angled the ball into his body, which saw Brooks hit a tame ball right-up into the air.

Pat Cummins took the catch with Starc implementing Australia's short-ball barrage to aplomb. The broadcast then zoomed to legend Boycott in the stands who had his head in his hands in utter disbelief at the shot selection.

The tail-end offered little resistance to the barrage with Cummins and Travis Head wrapping up the innings. Starc's spell on day three read 2-13 off five overs. But it was the two crucial wickets at the beginning of the innings that set up the collapse for the Aussies.

England captain Stokes has maintained the team will live and die by the sword, regarding their attacking batting approach. But as they stare down a huge second innings run chase, legends have slammed the team for not using common sense when needed in the longest form of the game.

Vaughan was critical of Brooks for playing the reckless shot at an important moment in the match when no team had ascendency. “England clearly like losing,” England's former captain told the BBC Test Match Special. “Seeing a player play a shot like that, it’s just not good enough at this level.”

Pietersen has been critical of England's approach against Australia in the second Ashes test after their bowling on the first day. And the former batter was again left frustrated with how they approached another important phase in the game.

“It was kamikaze cricket,” Pietersen told Sky Sports. “It was a bumpathon. England went flapping – and Australia picked up wickets quickly and very cheaply.”

Fans also reacted to England's downfall, which leaves them an uphill battle after Australia cemented a 221 lead overnight with Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith at the crease.

Mitchell Starc finished with 3-88, with all three wickets coming after Lyon had limped from the field one day two with the hosts on 1-181.

"They want to play aggressive cricket, as they've said for for a period of time now," Starc said after the day's play. "It's just about finding ways to counteract that or to continue to create chances.

"We were quite accurate and saw an opportunity if they wanted to take it on. We had fields in positions where if chances were created, hopefully they went to hand. It's worked for one innings. It's got potential to work again if we need to call on it."

Australia will resume at 2-130 and with a 221 lead. Khawaja was unbeaten on 53 and will be seeking his 16th century.

with AAP

Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.