Some rapid knocks in the middle order provided Australia much-needed impetus in the latter half of their batting innings in the third ODI against England at Chester-le-Street to help set a commanding target of 305. Phil Salt and Ben Duckett walked out to bat in response and found themselves on the receiving end of a stellar spell from new-ball gun Mitchell Starc. The left-arm quick bowled four overs with the shiny Kookaburra, managing one maiden and scalping both the openers while only conceding just 17 runs. While the numbers themselves tell quite the story, the manner in which he dispatched Salt truly elucidates the sheer threat of one of the all-time greats.
Starc managed to find some swing under the lights and began with six dot balls to Salt, including a couple play and misses. The battle resumed in the third over and the Aussie pacer extracted another timid defence from the opener to further stamp his authority. Majorly going full until that point to extract some swing, Starc changed tactics with his ensuing effort and surprised the opener with a back-of-a-length ball angling into his hip from over the wicket. Salt was clearly taken aback by both the pace and bounce, and could only manage an instinctive swipe at the white rock that lobbed off his willow and straight into the hands of Matthew Short at short midwicket.
Starc was unsurprisingly ecstatic at having dismissed the explosive batter while Salt stood his ground in shock, unable to believe he had been outdone by sheer speed. Twitterati wsa equally suprisied as they took to social media to express their reactions.
Too early
The limit
Slowly realising Phil salt is sky of odi cricket
— stellate (@bim_kamal) September 24, 2024
Mitchell Starc’s destruction continues
He takes two precious wickets: Phil Salt & Ben Duckett.#ENGvAUS— Abrar Iqbal (@abrariqbal1000) September 24, 2024
On fire
Never works
Phil salt in challenging conditons as a opener is never gonna work #engvsaus
— Devesh Pant (@DeveshP79010226) September 24, 2024
@PhilSalt1Â Third class batting against Australia Poor Poor performance One of the third class player phil salt
— Vijay DG (@VijayDG4) September 24, 2024
Not this time
Phil Salt being found out by quality bowling! Not for the first time!
— Peter Wharton (@PeterWh99536347) September 24, 2024
Poor performance vs elites
Phil Salt is someone I would be dumping from the 50 over setup. Only gets easy runs, really poor record versus the elite.
— Ben (@Bengn1987) September 24, 2024
Remove marnus and edit it with Phil Salt.
— MOHIT TALREJA (@mohhhitweets) September 24, 2024
Time waster
Phil Salt is an absolute waste of time .. has one good innings in 20
— Carl 👕it means🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@richyrich1971) September 24, 2024
