Mitchel Starc pleased to have kept Alastair Cook and Joe Root quiet in Ashes opener
"We knew the two guys in their line-up we'd have to keep quiet throughout the series [Cook and Root] – they are so experienced and important"
Sunday 26 November 2017 10:34, UK
Mitchell Starc says Australia are delighted to have kept England's senior batsmen Alastair Cook and Joe Root quiet as they close in on victory in the first Ashes Test.
Cook made two and seven in his two innings at the Gabba, while Root was dismissed for 15 in his first knock and failed to push on after making 51 in his second, the visiting captain falling lbw both times.
Starc says those are "encouraging signs" for Australia, who will require just 56 runs to win on day five in Brisbane, after David Warner (60no) and Cameron Bancroft (51no) steered the hosts to 114-0.
"We knew the two guys in their line-up we'd have to keep quiet throughout the series [Cook and Root] - they are so experienced and important," Starc told reporters after day four.
"Cookie has scored 10 runs or something [sic] over two innings - a big plus for us. Joe, we've found a way to get him out. Conditions will change as we go to different places in Australia, but it's a great start.
"To get the rewards we did with the ball was fantastic. We really stuck to our plan on a wicket that we thought was pretty slow and a bit soft. We've got our plans to all the English batters."
England lost their final four wickets for 10 runs in their second innings to be skittled for 195, having suffered a collapse of 6-56 first time around after being healthily-placed on 246-4.
"We've spoken about their tail," added Starc. "The way our boys bowled against them in the last home Ashes - we sort of used that as a bit of a blueprint. I'm sure they can expect more short stuff as the series goes on."
Spinner Nathan Lyon (3-67) played his part in Brisbane on Sunday, moving past 50 Test wickets for 2017 after ousting Mark Stoneman, Dawid Malan and Moeen Ali as he supported Josh Hazlewood (3-46) and Starc (3-51).
"He's been fantastic," Starc said of Lyon. "He's obviously had a bit to say over the last couple of weeks but he's backed it up with the ball. He's enjoying himself on the field and he's backing it up with his bowling.
"He's been bowling so well at one end, which allows us (fast bowlers) to come from the other end in short, sharp spells. He's been great for us, and he's got a few rewards."
