BRISBANE — The 'Vibes of Johnson' are alive and well at the Gabba. In a display of fast-bowling dominance that evoked memories of the great Mitchell Johnson's Ashes demolition jobs, Mitchell Starc produced a masterclass with both bat and ball to put Australia in a commanding position on the second day of the second Ashes Test.
Starc, who famously dismissed Rory Burns with the first ball of the 2021-22 Ashes series, once again broke English hearts early, this time with a blistering spell of reverse swing. He then returned to deliver a crucial, counter-attacking half-century with the bat, shifting the momentum decisively in Australia's favour and silencing a hopeful England contingent.
The Early Blow: Starc Strikes with the New Ball
England began the day with cautious optimism, hoping to build on their first-innings total of 325. However, any plans for a serene start were shattered in Starc's second over. Bowling with pace and precision, he produced a near-unplayable delivery that seamed away late to take the edge of Zak Crawley's bat. "It was the perfect length, just tempting the drive, and it left him at the last second," said Australian captain Pat Cummins in the post-play press conference.
The wicket set the tone for a morning session dominated by the Australian pace trio. Josh Hazlewood, relentless as ever, accounted for Ben Duckett, before Starc returned to remove the dangerous Ollie Pope, caught behind fending at a sharp, rising delivery. England's key partnership of Joe Root and Harry Brook was under immediate pressure, with the scoreboard reading a precarious 73 for 3.
The Middle-Order Mop-Up and Reverse Swing Symphony
As the ball softened, England's middle order attempted to stage a recovery. Root and Brook began to find the boundary, raising English hopes of a competitive total. But the introduction of the older ball brought Starc back into his element. With the Kookaburra beginning to reverse swing noticeably under the Brisbane sun, Starc became unplayable.
His spell either side of the lunch break was devastating. He clean bowled Brook with a full, swinging yorker that crashed into middle stump. Two overs later, he produced a carbon-copy delivery to send Ben Stokes' off-stump cartwheeling, a dismissal that effectively broke the back of the England innings. The Gabba crowd erupted, recognising the signature 'break their hearts' moment.
Starc's final figures of 4 for 55 were a testament to his skill and stamina. More importantly, they restricted England to a first-innings total of 325, a score that looked at least 75 runs short on a good batting surface. The psychological impact of his spell, however, was immeasurable. Former England captain Michael Vaughan noted on commentary, "That was Mitchell Johnson-esque. He's sucked the belief right out of England's batting lineup."
The Counter-Punch: Starc the Batsman Arrives
If England thought the damage was done, they were sorely mistaken. Australia's top order stuttered in reply, losing early wickets to a spirited Mark Wood. At 161 for 5, with Travis Head just dismissed, Australia's lead was minimal and the match hung in the balance. This was the moment Starc chose to walk to the crease.
Promoted ahead of the wicketkeeper Alex Carey, Starc played an innings of pure calculated aggression. He targeted the short boundary with dismissive pulls and lofted drives, racing to a 33-ball fifty. His partnership with Usman Khawaja, who played the anchor role to perfection, yielded 90 rapid runs and completely flipped the script of the day.
The significance of his knock was not lost on anyone. It turned a slender, precarious lead into a substantial one, demoralising an England attack that had fought hard to get back into the contest. Key aspects of his innings included:
- Targeting the Short Ball: He ruthlessly punished anything short from England's seamers, particularly Wood.
- Seizing the Momentum: His intent forced England captain Ben Stokes to spread the field, releasing pressure on Khawaja.
Starc was eventually dismissed for a vital 58, but the damage was done. Australia ended the day on 289 for 6, holding a significant lead of 164 runs with four wickets still in hand. The Gabba, a fortress for Australia, was rocking with the knowledge that their team held all the aces.
The Aftermath and Looking Ahead
Starc's all-round performance has placed Australia in the driver's seat to take a 2-0 series lead. For England, the task is now monumental. They must quickly dismiss the Australian tail and then produce one of their great batting rearguards on a pitch that is still good for batting but showing signs of variable bounce.
The parallels to Mitchell Johnson's influential series are unavoidable. Johnson's fear factor with the ball in 2013-14 was a series-defining weapon. While Starc's method relies more on lethal swing than sheer intimidation, the outcome—shattering English confidence at a crucial juncture—is strikingly similar. "He's changed the game twice in one day," said Australian great Ricky Ponting. "With the ball this morning and then with the bat tonight. That's the sign of a world-class match-winner."
As day three dawns, England's hearts, so full of hope after a competitive first day, have been broken once more by a Mitchell wearing the Baggy Green. The 'Vibes of Johnson' are not just a nostalgic memory at the Gabba; they are a very present and potent force, embodied by Mitchell Starc, who has single-handedly placed one hand on the Ashes urn for Australia.