Watch: Australia’s quicks put up a lethal display of new-ball bowling during the England third innings at the MCG, and Mitchell Starc was the first bowler to reap dividends for his efforts.

Starc got rid off Zak Crawley in the fifth over, finding the outside edge to gift Alex Carey with a catch. Isa Guha on commentary said: “That angle is a tricky one for Zak Crawley, in particular. Bit of nibble, just the angle created across the right hander.”

The very next ball, Australia got rid of England’s No.3, Dawid Malan. The ball angled in and struck him on the pads, and Starc turned around for a massive appeal. The on-field umpire gave it out but the batter reviewed.

It was found that the ball was brushing Malan’s leg stump. The third umpire upheld the decision, and the batter had to walk back for a duck. Facing the hat-trick was the England skipper Joe Root, and Starc nearly got the better of the Yorkshire player.

Root survived being dismissed by the closest of margins, as the ball moved away from the batter.

England ended the day on 31-4, still trailing Australia by 51 runs.

You can watch the back-to-back wickets and hat-trick ball here:

Hat-trick balls don't get much closer than that! 🥵

Mitch Starc on fire and the MCG has erupted! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/lVniO4V0k1

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2021