Australia’s spearhead Mitchell Starc produced a blistering period of fast bowling in the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, strongly reminiscent of his form ahead of The Ashes 2025.
Mitchell Starc warms up for Ashes with fiery four-wicket spell
Starc took 4 for 91 – dismantling Victoria’s top order and delivering one of the most memorable moments of the opening day – a fiery yorker to dismiss Harry Dixon.
Playing at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Starc showed off his pace, movement and accuracy, hitting early and often as Victoria finished the first day on 340 for 7. His Australian teammates Nathan Lyon (2 for 65) and Sean Abbott (1 for 63) also contributed, while Josh Hazlewood (0 for 54) remained wicketless despite bowling a consistent 18 overs.
Starc’s brutal performance against Harry Dixon
Opening batter Harry Dixon, batting confidently on 20, fell victim to a vicious yorker from Starc. The delivery, clocked at a high pace, swung late and crashed straight into Dixon’s toe, leaving him in visible discomfort.
Starc immediately made a loud appeal and the referee immediately raised his finger, confirming the dismissal. The wicket marked Starc’s first breakthrough in the match and set the tone for what became a dominant day for the veteran pacer.
After the first strike, Starc then removed Oliver Peake, Campbell Kellaway and Sam Harper, systematically breaking Victoria’s batting order and reaffirming his status as one of the most feared fast bowlers in world cricket.
A perfect delivery from Mitchell Starc! 🍑
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New South Wales keeps the pressure on Victoria
While Starc led the charge with raw pace and precision, fellow Australian Nathan Lyon kept up the pressure from the other end. The off-spinner dismissed two of Victoria’s first six, exploiting the turn and bounce available on the SCG surface to provide key breakthroughs midway through the session.
Sean Abbott, another member of the Ashes team, took over the wicket of the well-established Fergus O Neill, ensuring New South Wales remained in control despite resistance from Victoria. At stumps the visitors were 340 for 7, their lower order showing some resilience in the face of the relentless bowling.
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Ashes preparations: Starc, Josh Hazlewood to lead Australia attack in Perth
Starc’s form comes at a crucial time for Australia, with the 2025-26 Ashes just weeks away. With captain Pat Cummins ruled out of the opening Test in Perth due to a back injury, Starc and Hazlewood are expected to spearhead the attack against England.
Selectors will be encouraged by Starc’s sharpness and pace, particularly his ability to swing the ball both ways at high speed. His four-wicket burst against Victoria is a clear indication that he is peaking at the right time.
On the other side, Scott Boland, who is also playing in this Shield match, is expected to replace Cummins in the national lineup. Boland has been phenomenal in home conditions, taking 49 wickets in nine Tests, including a career-best 6/7 against England in the iconic 2021 Melbourne Test.
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