BRISBANE: Mitchell Starc’s habit of dismantling England’s top order has continued as the visitors showed a slightly more patient approach in the first session at the Gabba.
Starc caused carnage in Perth, dismissing Zak Crawley for a pair and once again he had England reeling with Ben Duckett nicking to Marnus Labuschagne for a golden duck.
Ollie Pope was then bowled for a three-ball duck, chopping on from a loose shot outside off stump.
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“A poor shot early on in an innings … far too close to the body to be playing that sort of shot and probably got the just result,” Allan Border said on Fox Cricket.
Mitchell Starc celebrates a wicket. Getty
Earlier Australia made the call to drop Nathan Lyon in favour of a four-man pace attack, with Michael Neser included.
The Queenlander opened alongside Starc but was expensive, finishing with 0-16 from his first three-over spell.
Joe Root and Crawley then saved England from disaster and kept hope of the Test making it to at least day three.
Crawley reached his half-century off 68 balls to a loud applause from the Gabba crowd.
“He’s set the tone here … that’ll be a bit of relief there for Ben Stokes and the England team,” Brendon Julian said.
By the end of the first session, England was 2-98 with Root on 32 off 60 and Crawley on 61.
