Mitchell Starc leaves commentators in disbelief over 'vintage' Ashes act

Mitchell Starc could lay claim to the delivery of the Ashes after an in-swinging peach took out the middle stump of Ollie Pope to turn the second test in Australia's favour. Starc was Australia's most devastating bowler in the first innings having recovered from a tough day 2 spell to take 2-13 in the first session of day 3.

And the devastating left-hander has found his rhythm in England having left Pope bundled over in remarkable scenes that will go down as one of the great Ashes deliveries. Having already snared Zak Crawley, Starc was causing trouble with his swing.

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Starc nearly had Ben Duckett caught in front, only for the decision to be overturned. Shortly after, Starc's 144km/h in-swinger ripped Pope's middle stump out of the ground to leave England 2-13.

Ricky Ponting lauded the spectacular delivery as Australia gained the momentum. "Doing that with the ball at 90mp/h coming back in, you are in trouble. That is a beauty. That is late, late movement. Not many will keep that out," he said.

Captain Pat Cummins then showed why he is the best fast bowler in the world after taking two wickets in the one over, which included a ball that took the top of Harry Brooks' off-stump. Cricket fans around the world were full of praise for Starc's performance in the second test with many seeing him as the difference so far.

Starc's first wicket of the day also saw him become Australia's greatest-ever left-arm wicket taker. The left-arm fast bowler moved ahead of Mitchell Johnson on the all-time wicket tally for Australia.

Cummins and Starc saw Australia finish the day on top with England reeling at 4-114, chasing a target of 371 for victory.

Mitchell Starc caught up in controversial Ashes moment

While Starc enjoyed a breathtaking day with the ball in hand, he was also involved in the most controversial moment of the afternoon. Starc took a catch on the boundary off a Cameron Green bouncer. Duckett walked to the dressing rooms as the Australians celebrated the huge wicket.

However, replays showed Starc caught the ball with two hands before sliding the ball on the grass as momentum carried him across the ground. After a few moments, the third umpire overturned the decision, much to the joy of the home crowd.

This didn't sit well with a number of Australian greats Glenn McGrath blasting the decision. "That is the biggest load of rubbish I’ve ever seen,” McGrath said on the BBC.

“He has got that ball under control … if that is not out, then every other catch that’s ever been taken should not be out. That is a disgrace.”

However, the Marylebone Cricket Club moved to clarify the rules and deemed that a catch is only completed when the fielder has "complete control over the ball and his/her movement. The ball cannot touch the ground before then."

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