Cricket

Ashes 2023: Australia missing Mitchell Starc with both bat and ball in 1st Test, says Nasser Hussain

Former England captain Nasser Hussain reckons Australia is missing the services of Mitchell Starc with both bat and ball in the first Ashes Test against England. Australia preferred Scott Boland and returning Josh Hazlewood ahead of Starc for the opening Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

While Boland was excellent for Australia in the World Test Championship final against India, picking up five wickets, Hazlewood made a return to Test cricket after recovering from injury. Hazlewood took three wickets in the first Ashes Test whereas Boland could pick two wickets in the entire match.

Starc is well known to clean up the tail with his accurate yorkers and he can also provide crucial runs while batting down the order.

Starc has played 18 Ashes Tests in his career and has scalped 74 wickets at an average of 27.46. The left-arm batter has also scored 517 runs against England at an average of 25.85.

Meanwhile, Ollie Pope and Stuart Broad scored 27 and 10 respectively whereas James Anderson scored an unbeaten knock of 12 runs on Day four. Ergo, England was able to set up a target of 281 runs after they scored 273 in the second essay.

Nasser Hussain told Sky Sports, “The one person they are missing, both with bat and ball, is Mitchell Starc. Those 60 runs England’s last three put on yesterday – if you go back to previous Ashes battles, who has been blowing away England’s tail? Starc.”

“Then also with the bat, he scores some useful runs. That could be a big blow,” said Hussain.

Meanwhile, Starc had scalped four wickets in the WTC Final against India at the Kennington Oval, London.

On the other hand, at Tea on the final day, Australia need 98 runs whereas England require another five wickets for the win. Usman Khawaja is batting unbeaten on 56 while Cameron Green is on 22.

About the Author


Written by DafaNews

DafaNews brings you the most highlighted news in the world of Sports. It serves you up-to-date matches, scores, live streams, fantasy games and quizzes. Our news covers India's prestigious leagues and events – Premier League, Pro Kabbadi League, Cricket World Cup and many more. Follow DafaNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Telegram and Youtube for more updates.

Related Post
Share
Published by
DafaNews

Recent Posts

Roger Federer says tennis is finally in post-Serena Williams, Nadal & himself era with Carlos Alcaraz & Jannik Sinner

Legendary Roger Federer believes tennis has finally gone past the epic eras of Serena Williams,… Read More

September 19, 2025

Hansi Flick praises ‘fantastic’ Marcus Rashford after win against Newcastle

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick lauded Marcus Rashford after the win against Newcastle United. In… Read More

September 19, 2025

Ravi Shastri urges management to take care of fast bowlers, says India can win a lot of World Cups if fast bowling clicks

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri believes the Indian team must take care of the… Read More

September 19, 2025

Mohammad Kaif lauds Suryakumar Yadav, says he is a proper replacement for Rohit Sharma amid Asia Cup

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif showered praise on Suryakumar Yadav and said he is a… Read More

September 19, 2025

Aakash Chopra urges India’s think tank to give batting opportunity to Sanju Samson in Asia Cup clash against Oman

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has urged India’s management to give batting opportunity to… Read More

September 19, 2025

Sanjay Bangar predicts Sanju Samson’s batting position for the Asia Cup 2025 match against Oman

Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar has predicted that Sanju Samson might bat in the… Read More

September 19, 2025