Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes a comment made by India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal may have unintentionally fueled Mitchell Starc’s standout performance during the second Test in Adelaide.
Jaiswal’s Comment Appears to Ignite Starc’s Competitive Spirit
Jaiswal, who impressed with a brilliant 161 in the series opener in Perth, reportedly said that Starc was “bowling too slow.” While this remark elicited a wry smile from Starc at the time, it ultimately spurred him to deliver when it mattered most—dismissing Jaiswal for a duck with his very first delivery in the Adelaide match.
Ponting weighed in on the exchange during The ICC Review
“He’s actually a pretty level-headed guy, Mitchell Starc. He doesn’t get flustered too much, even you see when he’s bowling now. And if one of the batters does happen to say something, he generally responds with a little smile on his face.”
Ponting speculated that Starc’s smile may mask his internal motivation
“But I think that smile on his face might be just a bit of a cover for the fire that’s burning inside.”
Starc’s Performance and Australia’s Senior Players Shine
Starc bowled exceptionally in Adelaide, producing career-best figures of 6/48 in the first innings. His opening dismissal of Jaiswal set the tone for Australia’s dominant performance, which ultimately secured a 10-wicket victory and leveled the series at 1-1.
Ponting praised Australia’s senior players for stepping up under pressure
“I said in the lead-up that Australia’s senior players had to really stand up and change what had happened in Perth.”
He highlighted key contributions from Pat Cummins and Travis Head, who played vital roles in the team’s dominant showing:
“Starc takes a wicket first ball, happens to beat Jaiswal that had made 160 in the last innings he played against Australia. And that really set the tone for the whole Test match.”
Ponting commended Starc’s ability to lead by example and his career-best performance as a key factor in Australia’s bounce-back.
Starc’s Continued Dominance: A Testament to Adaptation
At 34 years old, Starc remains one of cricket’s most accomplished pacers with 692 wickets across all formats. His career includes two ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup titles (2015 and 2023), an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2021, and the ICC World Test Championship in 2023.
While his accolades are numerous, Ponting noted that Starc is often underappreciated in discussions about the greatest bowlers of his era.
“He certainly deserves high praise. I mean, he’s probably in the last couple of years been better than he’s ever been.”
Ponting attributed Starc’s sustained success to consistency and smart adjustments to his bowling style
“He’s a more consistent bowler now than he’s ever been before, yet his pace is still about the same as it always was.”
Despite operating at slightly reduced speeds, Starc maintains his accuracy and ability to deliver under pressure, especially with the pink ball. Ponting pointed out that Starc’s pink-ball record reflects his ability to adapt, given that the pink ball behaves similarly to the white ball.
The Future of Australian Pace and World Test Championship Focus
Ponting remains optimistic about the longevity of Australia’s fast bowling trio—Starc, Josh Hazelwood, and Pat Cummins—noting that they could likely continue their dominance for another few years.
With the series now tied at 1-1, attention shifts to the Gabba for the pivotal third Test. Both teams will be vying for crucial points as they aim for a spot in the World Test Championship Final.
As for Starc, his recent performances are a reminder of his ability to thrive in high-pressure situations, ensuring that Australia will remain a formidable force in the remaining matches of the series.
