“Didn’t Change My Role”: Starc Shines as Leader of Australia’s New-Look Attack

Mitchell Starc delivered a masterclass in fast bowling leadership at Perth Stadium, dismantling England with a ten-wicket haul to secure an emphatic eight-wicket victory in the Ashes opener. With regular captain Pat Cummins and partner-in-crime Josh Hazlewood sidelined due to injury, the veteran left-armer stepped up to fill the void, insisting his approach remained exactly the same: stick to the plan and execute.

Stepping Up Without the ‘Big Three’ Partners

For years, the trio of Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood has been the bedrock of Australia’s Test success. The first Test in Perth marked a rare occasion where Starc took the field without either of his long-time bowling partners. Despite the added responsibility of leading a reshuffled attack, Starc maintained that his mindset remained uncomplicated.

“First time I haven’t had Josh and Pat around for a while. Didn’t change my role at all. If I can just do my role as I’ve mostly done across the years, that was the plan,” Starc explained after the match.

His execution was lethal. Starc ripped through England’s lineup in the first innings with figures of 7/58 and followed it up with 3/55 in the second, finishing with remarkable match figures of 10/113. His performance ensured England never settled on a pitch that offered pace and bounce.

Praise for Boland and Debutant Doggett

While Starc was the destroyer-in-chief, he was quick to credit the support cast that made the victory possible. Scott Boland, returning to the side, proved his worth yet again with a superb spell of 4/33 in the second innings, while debutant Brendan Doggett announced his arrival on the international stage with five wickets across the match.

“Scotty Boland came good, Brendan Doggett on debut was fantastic,” Starc noted, highlighting the impressive depth of Australia’s fast-bowling stocks even in the absence of their frontline stars.

Head’s “Helter-Skelter” Heroics

The match, which wrapped up within a frantic two days, saw Australia chasing a target of 205. The chase was defined by a blistering counter-attack from Travis Head, who bludgeoned 123 off just 83 balls. His innings, studded with 16 fours and four sixes, completely demoralized the English attack and turned a potentially tricky chase into a procession.

Reflecting on the chaotic nature of the match and Head’s brilliance, Starc said: “Sums it up. Travis Head, to take the game on like that and come up trumps was something to watch. Helter-skelter two days. There was a lot said going in but we needed to stick to our guns.”

With a 1-0 lead in the series, Australia heads to the next Test with momentum, having proven they can dominate even without their full-strength bowling unit.