Stark’s Six-Fer and Root’s Masterclass Illuminate a Thrilling Day at the Gabba

Mitchell Starc described it best as he stood near the boundary ropes at the Gabba after stumps: “Proper days of Test cricket.” His brief remark neatly captured the drama, tension and shifting momentum that defined the opening day of the Brisbane day-night Test of the Ashes series.

The match offered every ingredient that has long made Test cricket the most absorbing format—early swing, disciplined seam bowling, classical stroke-play, sessions controlled and then lost, and a late-evening fightback that left the contest delicately poised. Starc, who has long been considered the most destructive exponent of the pink ball, justified that reputation with a superb six-wicket haul that tore England’s top order to shreds. Yet the same day witnessed Joe Root scripting one of his finest overseas hundreds, an innings that helped England recover from near-disaster.

England were in disarray within minutes of the first ball being bowled. Starc struck in the opening over, removing Ben Duckett for a duck with a full-length outswinger that demanded a stroke. The dismissal triggered the memory of England’s previous collapses in Australia. Matters worsened when, in Starc’s next over, Ollie Pope was beaten by a delivery that jagged back to hit the stumps. England were wobbling at 5 for 2, both openers gone without scoring.

But cricket rarely follows a single script. Zak Crawley and Joe Root steadied the innings with tremendous composure, negotiating the movement under the lights with a mix of caution and poise. Their third-wicket partnership of 117 runs shifted pressure firmly back on the Australians. Crawley, who looked fluent from the outset, compiled an impressive 76 from 93 balls before edging Michael Neser to the wicketkeeper.

Root then formed another valuable stand with Harry Brook, adding 54 for the fourth wicket. Brook’s brisk 31 from 33 balls kept the scoreboard moving before Starc returned to break the partnership. The wicket not only halted England’s momentum but also elevated Starc to a new personal landmark—the highest wicket-taker among left-arm pacers in Test cricket, surpassing Wasim Akram’s celebrated tally of 414. Starc would end the day on 418 career wickets, including 87 in day-night Tests.

England resumed the second session on 196 for 4 but stumbled early in the evening. Captain Ben Stokes was run out after a mix-up, undone by a direct hit from Josh Inglis. Jamie Smith departed three balls later, bowled by Scott Boland, and England were again in danger of losing command.

Root, however, remained unflustered. He paired with Will Jacks for another vital stand, adding 40 runs before Starc struck again. Jacks’ dismissal left England 251 for 7, but Root reached his hundred soon after, pulling a boundary to bring up his first Test century on Australian soil and the 40th of his career. Fittingly, the shot also carried him past 1,000 career Test runs in Australia.

As the final session wore on, the veteran batter accelerated, adding 33 more runs in 21 balls, with Jofra Archer providing sturdy support. The pair frustrated Australia with a gritty 61-run stand, leaving England on 325 for 9 at stumps in 74 overs. Archer remained unbeaten on 32 from just 26 deliveries.

The day ended with both sides harbouring reasons for optimism: Australia with Starc’s breakthroughs and England with Root’s defiance. And so, as Starc himself hinted, it truly was a “proper” day of Test cricket—one that renewed belief in the beauty and unpredictability of the longest format.