Ashes 2017/18: Speedster Mitchell Starc Believes Australia is Still in Command

Australia pace bowling spearhead Mitchell Starc is of the view that his national side is still in control after losing four wickets in quick succession on Monday (December 4), in the second innings of the pink-ball Adelaide Test.

Following the completion of three days in the pink-ball Test, Australian has taken the lead of 268 runs.

“Not really, we’ve got a big lead ahead of us,” Starc was quoted as saying by BT Sport.

(Read Also: Ashes 2017/18: Alex Hales Cleared For England Selection)

In the day-and-night fixture of the second Test of Magellan Ashes series 2017-18, before the stumps on day three, England bowlers in the form of James Anderson and Chris Woakes ripped through Australia’s top-order when the ball did a lot under the floodlights.

However, hosts Australia finished the day three with 53 for four in 26 overs when skipper Steven Smith avoided the follow-on which has backfired on hosts.

Starc, who claimed three wickets in the first innings after conceding 29 runs in 20 overs admitted the fact by saying it’s not a good sight to lose wickets early on.

“It’s obviously not ideal to get to stumps four down but we’re 260 (268) ahead,” Starc remarked.

In the final session of the third day, Australia lost both the openers in the form of Cameron Bancroft and David Warner followed by Steven Smith and unimpressive Usman Khawaja.

“We’ve still got plenty of wickets in the shed and England have got to do all the chasing so we’re definitely in the driving seat,” Starc explained.

Interestingly, Starc reiterated England side had faced just ten overs under lights, and they are supposed to face more with two days left for the Test fixture.

“England have only faced ten overs under the light,” Starc maintained.

Earlier in the day, England was restricted to 227 in the first innings in 76.1 overs, as Australia claimed the lead of 215 in the first innings.

After starting from the overnight score of 29 for one in 9.1 overs, England lost wickets at regular intervals which allowed Australia to give Steven Smith a chance to extend the lead at one point in time.

“The extra rest will hopefully allow us to bowl a bit quicker and take some big wickets throughout the day and put England under the pump big time,” Starc said.

(Read Further: Hardik Pandya Reveals How MS Dhoni Reprimanded Him for Getting Over Excited During His Maiden International Match)

Excited Starc further quashed the claims by saying England has a lot of work to do – to beat the hosts while adding he is eagerly waiting to see how the Three Lions would face Australian bowlers in the fourth innings of the Test fixture.

“They will have two big night sessions ahead if they want to win this Test match so I would still very much rather be in our changing room,” Starc concluded.

Starc also reiterated they have a brilliant chance to lead the traditional series 2-0 on the home soil.