Mitchell Starc is mobbed by his teammates after leading Australia to victory
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Australia left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc put on a show on the fifth day in Adelaide as he took a five-wicket haul that not only saw his side beat England by 120 runs, but also gave them a 2-0 lead in the Ashes.
Starc was well supported by fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood, who took the key wickets of England captain Joe Root and all-rounder Chris Woakes.
Starting off the day on 176/4, Hazlewood struck twice in his first two overs of the day as he had Woakes caught behind for five runs. He then took out Root, who suffered the same fate as Woakes, for 67, which came off 123 balls and included nine boundaries.
PUMPED #Ashes #ohwhatafeeling @Toyota_Aus pic.twitter.com/LznGGyevhH
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 6, 2017
Moeen Ali only made two runs before being trapped lbw off the bowling of Nathan Lyon. Despite reviewing the decision, Moeen still had to trudge back to the pavilion as replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to clip the top of off stump.
The @Specsavers DRS can't save Moeen as England lose another big wicket #Ashes pic.twitter.com/VUuRLy3hYc
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 6, 2017
Starc then provided the finishing touches by removing Craig Overton and Stuart Broad for seven and eight runs respectively. Wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow was the last man to fall for England, who were bowled out for 233, as he was clean bowled by Starc for 36.
The winning moment for Australia! #Ashes#ohwhatafeeling @Toyota_Aus pic.twitter.com/WjUpq0aIBE
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 6, 2017
Starc was the pick of the bowlers with five wickets, while Hazlewood and Lyon snapped up two wickets apiece. As for Pat Cummins, he claimed one wicket.
Root was disappointed to have lost, and said: “The way we went about everything yesterday was excellent, and that’s got to be the benchmark for the rest of the series. It’s disappointing not to do ourselves justice today. We have to make sure we are better next time.”
Australia captain Steve Smith was over the moon to have taken a 2-0 lead in the series, and said: “We always had faith. It happened quickly, the boys showed some character this morning. Shaun was phenomenal in the first innings.”
Australia batsman Shaun Marsh was named Man of the Match for his unbeaten 126 in the first innings, and said: “An unbelievable feeling to get a hundred on day two. Looking forward to Perth, 2-0 up, looking forward to recharging and having another crack.”