For the 15th time, Mitchell Starc was on a hat-trick for Australia.
And for the 15th time, he missed the rare milestone – this time by mere centimetres.
Not that it bothers Starc too much.
“I didn’t know that was the number,” Starc said of his opportunities to take a hat-trick in all formats for Australia.
“It’s not like you chase it.
“You try and play a part and it’s not something I have ever thought too much about.”
Starc took three wickets in sizzling spells of reverse-swing bowling as Pakistan wilted in the Karachi heat on day three of the second Test.
After watching Australia’s batsmen amass 9(dec)-556 in two days and 35 minutes – 189 overs all up – Pakistan crashed to 148 all out in 53 overs.
Australia then opted against the follow-on, reaching 1-81 at stumps – a massive lead of 489 runs.
Starc was the chief destroyer, his 3-29 from 13 overs including the dismissals of Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam in consecutive deliveries.
His hat-trick ball was a ripper, angling in to Mohammad Rizwan, who shaped a defensive shot, only for the ball to move way, just past his outside edge.
“That ball must have hit a crack … it was still a decent ball,” Starc said.
Starc’s strikes came as lost Pakistan 9-92 in a 23-over span.
“I’m not sure we thought it might happen that quickly,” Starc said.
“Credit to the whole bowling attack, and certainly the fielders as well, to apply ourselves in the way we did and come away with the results we did.
“It really sets up a good final two days.”
Some pundits railed against captain Pat Cummins’ decision to extend Australia’s innings into the third day.
Some queries were also raised about Cummins’ decision not to enforce the follow-on as Australia seek a first Karachi win in nine Tests, and 1-0 series lead.
“How we bowled today has given us the opportunity to explore the options of how we want to approach it,” Starc said.
“By no means are we thinking too far ahead.
“All we have done is give ourselves a really good opportunity to dictate the game in any number of options we want to take.
“There’s still two days. There’s still going to be 10 wickets we have got to take.
“I know we have got a healthy lead, no doubt.
“But if you look at Test matches gone-by in both Pakistan and the UAE and on the subcontinent, you don’t see too many home sides enforce the follow-on.”
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It would be handy if he tried bowling like that yesterday. That silly roundarm around the wicket took away the advantage of moving it away from the right hander, the roundarm took away his advantage of height and he lost the opportunity of creating more rough for Lyon. It was limp.
JamesH
Roar Guru
That average blew out when the series was already over. Across the first 3 tests (when it mattered) he was our MVP. Not exactly Cummins' fault - he didn't plan to be a close contact and miss the second test - but Starc more than earned his keep.
JamesH
Roar Guru
He really doesn't. In that three years I can count the number of poor games Starc has had on one hand, and two of those were when his dad was dying. His skillset is bowling serious pace with swing. That doesn't lend itself to consistency, and there are certain pitches where other bowlers like Boland or Richardson might be a better option, but it does balance out with spells like the one yesterday where he turns an innings. He is, quite comfortably, in the three best test pace bowlers in the country.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Hardly "terrible". He is, however, no no longer in our best 3 quicks. He's there because he used to be.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Join you with the eggwiping. I would have gone Agar, Swepson and Lyon for something different. Congratulations to Starc. His devastating spells are marvellous. We just want more. Surely he knows what his ideal setup is, by now...
jameswm
Roar Guru
Average 27. 19 wickets at 25 in the Ashes. Cummins 21 wickets at 18.
boes
Roar Pro
Yes he's terrible. 277 wickets at strike rate of under 50.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
He's a strike bowler, they're often inconsistent. Just like Mitch Johnson and Brett Lee. They go for runs but take wickets Metronomic bowlers like Hazlewood and Cummins are the rarity in this pace bracket
Ace
Roar Rookie
Sums it up succinctly
Ace
Roar Rookie
I, likewise, did not slam Starc but thought three spinners may have been the way to go. But just when you think he's dead in the water he pops up again...hats off
Tempo
Roar Rookie
I thought what Cummins did was really smart. Put the spinners on early to keep the pace bowlers fresh for when reverse swing became available. It was reversing quite early on Day 1 for Pakistan so I think he did know it would come fairly early. Cummins went all out when the reverse swing became available, whereas Babar bizarrely pulled off his pacers after a few overs of reverse and ordered his spinners to bowl a metre outside leg stump instead. I agree that Starc adds something else when the ball is reversing - swings it further than Cummins and Green at a higher pace. His inconsistency is also almost an asset when it's swinging as the batsmen are guessing where it might pitch and can be caught by surprise by his jaffas or play loosely at wide balls (e.g., Azhar Ali).
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It's because he bowls so badly, so often. With his skillset, he should be way more consistent.
Marty
Roar Rookie
Great to see Starc get his mojo back. When he’s in song he’s a match winner, no doubt about it.
Tempo
Roar Rookie
The contrast between Babar's and Cummins's captaincy so far has been stark. The decision to bowl negative spin outside leg stump for over an hour on Day 1 just after the ball had started reversing was bizarre. In contrast, Cummins whipped Lyon off straight after getting a wicket because he started seeing the ball tail and went for the kill. Babar and Ramiz Raja need to break out of their negative mindsets and back their team to come back in Lahore (I'm assuming Australia can't lose from here, and a win is the most likely outcome). Prepare a sporting pitch that has something in it for the bowlers from Day 1 and play to their strengths instead of worrying about the opposition's strengths.
JamesH
Roar Guru
They'll be in full voice again as soon as he has a quiet game. It's laughable how a guy who's averaged 25.62 at a SR of 48.7 over the last 3 years *still* has his place questioned so often.
Lance Boil
Roar Rookie
Yep
jameswm
Roar Guru
I wasn't slamming it, but will confess I said I would have gone Boland. I don't think he should have played all 5 Ashes tests. Very happy to wipe egg off my face. Starc is a terrific person and I am very happy for him. I hope he does the same in the 2nd innings.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yeah I really questioned if Starc was the right person, but his selection proved to be a masterstroke. 146kmh reverse inswinging yorkers at lefties, and angling in and straightening to righties. Quality bowling. Green was hard to play too. I'd rather him around 140 than 135-136 though.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Great credit has to go to the Aussie leadership group here: – they made the correct (and obvious) choice at the toss, – they picked Starc as they saw reverse in the conditions, – senior batsmen played well, – they didn’t push too hard and throw away wickets, – they put the game out of Pakistan’s reach, – they batted on on the 3rd morning to demoralise them more, seek quick runs and put doubt into their heads have them question when (if at all) we would declare – they mixed the bowling well – batted again because there was time left and the conditions would only get worse – they put the foot down at the right time. Great credit to McDonald and Cummins and the others in the leadership group. Still work to do though. Chase quick runs for one hour (say 70 off 12), then declare 560 ahead.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Would Australia be in this position without Starc? Would Cummins and Green have done as well ? Nah. He bowled fast,he bowled well. Good pick by the selectors. Big question,though. Did Cummins have a clue that reverse was on offer from the 12th over? Also,nah . What do Roarers think?