Published By: Sayan Guha

BGT 2024/25: Mitchell Starc Extends His Own Record with the Pink Ball – Here's How!

Starc’s latest fifer only adds to his growing legacy as the undisputed master of the pink ball

Under the bright lights of the Adelaide Oval, Mitchell Starc once again showed why he is the uncontested king of pink-ball cricket. On the first day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy's second Test, Starc unleashed a violent spell, delivered career best 6-48 to reduce India to 180. Starc's swing and speed were too much for India's top order, as they had no clue about this.

With this performance, Starc completed his fourth five-wicket haul in Day-Night Tests, an astounding milestone given that no other bowler has had more than two. His clinical performance on Friday not only worried the Indian batters but also cemented his status as the go-to bowler under the twilight sky. Let's briefly look at Starc's past pink-ball spells, with five-wicket or more that cemented his legend.

Adelaide, 2019 vs PAK – 6-66

Mitchell Starc's first taste of pink-ball supremacy was against PAK in Adelaide, where he grabbed an incredible 6-66. PAK's first innings score 302 owed little to their batters as Starc ripped through their top and middle orders. His victims included Babar Azam, who seemed strong on 97 until being knocked out by a blistering in-swinger, and Yasir Shah, who fought hard for 113. Starc took one more wicket in PAK's second innings, and Australia won by an innings and 48 runs.

Match stats:

Australia: 3/589 dec (David Warner 335*, Labuschagne 162)
PAK: 302 & 239 (Starc: 6-66 in the first innings)

Perth, 2019 vs New Zealand – 5-52

In the Day-Night Test in Perth, Starc demonstrated why he is the uncontested master of the pink ball. His 5-52 in the first innings helped bowl New Zealand out for a dismal 166. Starc removed Ross Taylor (80) and Tom Blundell (23) just when they appeared to be stabilising the innings. His accuracy and velocity frightened the Kiwis, setting the door for Australia's decisive 296-run win.

Match stats:

Australia: 416 & 9/217 dec (Labuschagne 143, Head 56)
New Zealand: 166 & 171 (Starc: 5-52 and 4-45)

Adelaide, 2017 vs England – 5-88

During the 2017 Ashes series, Starc contributed significantly to Australia's 120-run win over England. In the second innings, with England chasing a lofty score, Starc bowled a scorching session, taking 5-88. His victims included Joe Root (67), who was hoping to spearhead the pursuit, and Jonny Bairstow (36). Starc's late spurt guaranteed that England fell well short of their aim, as Australia won the match under lights.

Match stats:

Australia: 8/442 dec & 138 (Mitchell Marsh 126*)
England: 227 & 233 (Starc: 5-88 in the second innings)

Adelaide, 2024 vs India – 6-48

The current Border-Gavaskar Trophy saw another Starc masterclass. His figures of 6-48 in just 14 overs destroyed India's batting lineup. The highlight was a double-wicket maiden, in which he dismissed Ravichandran Ashwin and Harshit Rana in short succession. Starc's lethal mix of swing and accuracy had India reeling, with just Nitish Reddy and Shubman Gill providing short resistance. India's total of 180 now puts Australia in complete control of the Test.

Match stats:

India: 180 all out (Starc: 6-48)