Australia Enjoyed a dream start as the left-handed leader in the pink-ball contest on the first day of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba Mitchell Starc Produced a sensational opening over to dismiss ben duckett For a golden goose. England, who chose to bat first under lights, suffered a setback early on and found themselves under immediate pressure.
Mitchell Starc showed beauty to dismiss Ben Duckett
Stark’s impact was immediate. On the last ball of the opening over, he bowled a trademark full, late delivery at 142.2 kilometers per hour – a ball that was too tempting for Duckett to leave. True to his aggressive style, Duckett attacked him with uncertain footwork, but managed to get a thick outside edge. Standing on the first slip, marnus labuschagne Dives forward to complete a sharp catch, causing joy among the Australian fielders.
The dismissal marked Starc’s first wicket of the series, underscoring both his mastery of the pink ball and his ability to attack before the opposition had settled down.
Here is the video:
Another wicket in the first over for Mitchell Starc, taking wickets in the first over is routine for this man, Duckett out for a duck. pic.twitter.com/YuGPdM6311
-U’ (@toxifyxe) 4 December 2025
Also read: AUS vs ENG, Ashes 2025-26: Brisbane weather forecast for pink-ball Test
Starc on the verge of overtaking the legendary fast bowler in the test
Starc’s momentum carried over into his very next over, where he dismissed Ollie PopeStrengthened Australia’s grip and put England in trouble for just a few minutes in the Test. The two shocks not only put England on the back foot but also heated up the atmosphere in Adelaide as the hosts’ fast bowling cartel began to rally around a weak top order.
As well as having impact on the match, Starc’s early successes were historically significant. His two wickets in the opening spell ensured that he became the first bowler in the world to take 20 pink-ball Test wickets against the same opponent, demonstrating his unmatched dominance under lights.
He also equaled the Pakistani legend wasim akram Equaled the record for most Test wickets by a left-arm fast bowler, taking 414 Test wickets.
Starc achieved the feat in 102 Tests, leaving Akram behind, who needed 104 matches to reach the figure. With one more dismissal, Starc is on course to become the leading left-arm fast bowler in Test history.
Also read: 3 Australian players who can trouble England in the pink-ball Test at the Gabba. The Ashes 2025-26
