Mitchell Starc has long been a dominant force with the pink ball, and on the first day of the second Test against India in Adelaide, he reaffirmed his status as the king of day-night cricket. The match saw Starc claim six wickets, including the notable feat of dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal with the first ball of the Test. This made it the third time in his career that he had struck on the opening delivery, after previous successes against Rory Burns in Brisbane (2021) and Dimuth Karunaratne in Galle (2016). The strike was typical of Starc’s skill with the pink ball, which seems to amplify his natural abilities as a swing bowler.
Starc’s performance in the day-night format is unparalleled. With 72 wickets in 13 day-night Tests, he has established a remarkable record, averaging just 17.81 runs per wicket. This is a feat that puts him far ahead of other bowlers, including his fellow Australian teammates Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins, all of whom trail behind in terms of both wicket count and strike rate. What sets Starc apart is not just his ability to take wickets, but his consistency taking wickets every 34.6 balls, which is an exceptional rate for someone who has bowled over 400 overs across this format.
On day one of the Adelaide Test, Starc wasted no time in showing his mastery over the pink ball. His first delivery to Jaiswal swung in from outside the leg stump and struck the batter’s pad in front of middle and leg, prompting an early breakthrough. Starc’s aggressive bowling continued as he removed Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, with both batters receiving significant fortune before falling to errant shots. By the time Starc had completed his spell, Australia had taken control of the match. His extra bounce and movement generated several dismissals that were bizarre in their simplicity, such as Rahul and Virat Kohli, who misjudged deliveries and deflected catches while attempting to leave the ball.
As the innings progressed, Starc’s impact remained evident. He returned after a short break to take the vital wicket of Ravichandran Ashwin, with an unplayable full delivery that sent the Indian batter back to the dressing room after an unsuccessful review. The Indian tail offered some resistance through Nitish Kumar Reddy, who lofted a six off Starc, but soon succumbed to a high catch at mid-off, ending the innings at 180 runs. Starc’s efforts were instrumental in dismantling India’s batting, and it was clear that his mastery of the pink ball had played a significant role in Australia’s success.
Unlike the Perth Test, where Starc had struggled to make an impact after early breakthroughs, in Adelaide he saw the job through. India’s batting frailties against the pink ball were exposed once again, and despite some solid bowling from Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed the wicket of Usman Khawaja, Australia was in a strong position by the close of play. With the bat, Australia reached 86-1, a promising start with one wicket down and plenty of time to build a substantial lead.
Bumrah, despite bowling well at times, found the conditions difficult to master. The pink ball swung and seamed, which troubled him at times, especially when deliveries veered down the leg side. His strike rate in day-night Tests has been impressive, but as of now, he is still adjusting to the format. This contrast highlighted the advantage that Starc, with his years of experience, has in these conditions. While Bumrah will continue to be a potent force for India, Starc’s familiarity with the nuances of the pink ball ensures that he remains the dominant figure in this format.
Starc’s performance in Adelaide was a reminder of his unparalleled skill with the pink ball, a tool he has mastered over the years. With his strike rate, consistency, and knack for picking up key wickets, Starc once again demonstrated why he is the go-to bowler in day-night Tests. His ability to swing the ball sharply and generate bounce under the lights makes him a fearsome prospect for any opposition, and on the first day of the Adelaide Test, he made sure to remind the cricket world that he remains the king of the pink ball.
