Mitchell Starc Takes Magnificent Diving Catch off His Own Bowling To Dismiss Zak Crawley for a Pair in 1st Ashes 2025 Test [WATCH]

Mitchell Starc came up with a terrific catch off his own bowling to dismiss Zak Crawley on a pair in the 1st Ashes 2025 Test. He has been on fire all game and started another innings with a wicket to provide a perfect start to Australia.

Starc bowled a length delivery outside the off-stump line, to which Crawley came forward to drive on the up, but couldn’t get the connection from the middle of the bat. The ball flew towards the bowler, who took his left hand towards it while in his follow-through.

He dived on the pitch and snatched it just above the ground, somehow holding on despite being completely off balance with his body weight pulling in the opposite direction. The third umpire checked from multiple angles and deemed it a clean catch, which was the right decision since the fingers were under the ball.

Mitchell Starc was vigilant enough to watch the ball throughout – the main reason why he could go after the catch in the first place, before eventually completing it with one hand. For Crawley, it was another duck, his second in the game, as he made a false start to the marquee series.

England start building a partnership after an early wicket for Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc has made a habit of taking first-over wickets and came up with another in the second innings by removing Zak Crawley. However, England have been positive since the first wicket and formed a crucial partnership for the second wicket.

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Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope have been prudent in taking their chances and keeping the scoreboard moving, even though Australia also bowled a bit loose. Like in the first innings, the two are flustered by the movement off the pitch or the quality of the opposition in favourable conditions.

They have been lucky at times, but Duckett and Pope always play like this and are not shy from going ultra-aggressive to put the pressure back on the bowlers. Their methods are effective on the deck, like in Perth, where bowlers always have the upper hand and will keep bowling unplayable deliveries from time to time.

England would want them to keep going, while Australia would hope for more quick wickets since they are already behind in the game. This partnership remains vital in the match’s context, for Duckett and Pope can take the side in a commanding position if not dismissed.

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