Cricket-Far from ‘too slow’, Starc wins Jaiswal duel in Adelaide

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(Reuters) – Australia’s left-arm wrecking ball Mitchell Starc won the Adelaide round of his duel against India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal while claiming a career-best 6-48 in the day-night second test on Friday.

Jaiswal smashed 161 in India’s comprehensive win in the series opener in Perth and was caught on stump mic telling Starc he was bowling “too slow”.

Starc, with the shiny new ball in hand, responded in kind at the Adelaide Oval on Friday firing a searing inswinging yorker to trap the opener lbw for a first-ball duck.

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The left-arm quick then let out a roar before being mobbed by his teammates, who were evidently relieved to see the back of the dangerous India opener.

Talking to broadcasters after the India innings, Starc said he did not really visualise Jaiswal’s dismissal.

“Not so much… but nice to sneak one past,” the 34-year-old said with a smile.

Starc wreaked havoc with the pink ball and now has 72 wickets in day-night tests, which is the most by any bowler.

The humidity in Adelaide made it difficult for him to operate at his best.

“Certainly didn’t help the engine, I got a bit crampy at the end there,” he said.

Starc’s other victims included KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, both falling in similar fashion – caught in two minds whether to play the ball or leave it.

Nitish Kumar Reddy hit Starc for a six but, in the bowler’s next over, suffered a nasty blow to his helmet. Starc was the first to inquire if the batter was okay.

The fast bowler eventually cut short Reddy’s entertaining 42 to finish with his best figures in test cricket, putting Australia in a strong position in the second match of the five-test series.