Australia will soon have England back on the ropes, warns Mitchell Starc

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Tom Collomosse4 December 2017

Mitchell Starc dismissed England’s faint hopes of winning the Second Test by promising them a taste of their own medicine here on Tuesday.

England fought back with the ball in the night session, with Jimmy Anderson bowling superbly and Chris Woakes claiming the key wickets of David Warner and Australia captain Steve Smith.

Australia closed on 53 for four but still have a lead of 268 and are likely to enjoy more favourable batting conditions in the daytime. As heartening as England’s flurry was, the smart money is still on Australia to take the win and seize a 2-0 lead in the series, with three matches to play.

Starc said: “There is no reason why we can’t have England on the ropes in the night session. We know night sessions are a tough time to bat. England have only had to do it for 10 overs so far. If they want to go and win this Test they will have to go through two night sessions. With a lead of 260 going into a day session we are still very much in the driving seat.”

There was, however, the first suggestion of discontent within Australia’s ranks when Starc refused to back Smith’s decision not to enforce the follow-on. It meant Australia had to bat at the toughest time of the day.

Asked whether he and the other fast bowlers supported the call, Starc said: “It’s purely up to Smithy. That’s why he is captain. There are pros and cons to both decisions.”

Woakes knows England are still struggling in the game but was pleased his team had, at least, thrown a punch or two in Australia’s direction.

Woakes celebrates after dismissing Smith
Getty Images

He said: “We pushed Australia back tonight. We can be encouraged by that. We’re behind in the game but we’ve fought back and shown good character to get back into it. We need to fight back and make sure this lead doesn’t grow into anything too big.”

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