Ashes 2021-22: Mitchell Starc claims unique record after dismissing Rory Burns for duck

Mitchell Starc etched his name in record books and became only the second bowler in the history of Ashes to pick a wicket on the first ball of the series. The left-arm fast bowler produced an absolute peach to send England opener Rory Burns back to the pavilion. The ball swung late after pitching in the corridor of uncertainty and hit the leg stump. It was a perfect start for the hosts, which brought the Gabba crowd in Brisbane on its feet. Pat Cummins handed the ball to Starc and he set the tone for the Ashes series perfectly.

And brilliantly, we have footage of both of them! https://t.co/MkpEXWsFNf pic.twitter.com/kWwC1hH3fr

— Andrew Donnison (@Donno79) December 8, 2021

Cummins, who is leading Australia for the first time, was pumped to see his gun bowler doing the damage on the first ball of the match.

Meanwhile, for England, the script so far has gone horribly wrong. Skipper Joe Root won the toss and elected to bat on a cloudy morning in Brisbane. England were hoping to put big runs on the board but the Australians were in no mood to give the visitors a sniff. England batting revolves around Joe Root but the skipper was dismissed without troubling the scorers. Talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes, who returned to competitive cricket for the series, also could not rescue England and was out for 5.

England were bundled out for just 147 in their innings. Cummins finished with a five-wicket haul, while Hazlewood and Starc finished with two wickets each.

Meanwhile, England dropped Stuart Broad from the match and went in with Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson and Chris Woakes as three pacers. The bowlers now have a massive task on hand. They need to replicate the performance of Australian bowlers if they have to keep England in the game.