On the third day of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia, a funny incident took place. Former Team India cricketer Irfan Pathan jokingly teased Mitchell Starc for trying to get away with flipping the bails.
Starc Gets Caught Flipping the Bails
Starc was trying to improve his luck by doing the ‘flipping bails’ ritual. This involves flipping bails in hopes of turning the tide in their favour. Many players have attempted this ritual, and Starc thought it was worth a try too.
It was a routine popularized by former England pacer Stuart Broad during the Ashes, and it has since caught on among other bowlers, including India’s Mohammed Siraj and Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne. Starc had been wicketless in the game. Thus, he tried to do the flipping bails ritual in order to turn his luck.
Pathan noticed Starc’s attempt and couldn’t resist making a light-hearted comment a bit of humour to the otherwise serious competition. Pathan joked, “Despite Australia being in this position if you have to remove the bails and then Mitchell Starc is thinking about himself because he has not got a wicket.” This remark gained attention on social media, especially because Starc was flipping the bails, and it brought a comical twist to the match.
Watch: Nitish Kumar Reddy Celebrates First Test Fifty with Iconic ‘Pushpa’ Celebration at MCG
Starc’s Gesture Pays Off
Starc’s superstitious act seemed to pay off, as just one over later, off-spinner Nathan Lyon bowled a brilliant delivery that trapped Ravindra Jadeja in front of the stumps. Jadeja, who had been steady for India, was given out LBW after scoring 17 runs from 51 balls.
Though Starc played a role in dismissing Jadeja, his own performance was lacking. The left-arm fast bowler completed 21 overs without taking a single wicket. Afterwards, he appeared to be in pain and consulted with the team’s physiotherapist, which raised questions about his fitness. Nonetheless, he was a threat to the Indian team throughout the day.
Later in the innings, Reddy almost provided Starc with a breakthrough when he hit an aerial shot against Mitchell Marsh. However, Starc couldn’t quite convert the half-chance into a catch. Reddy converted this chance by scoring his maiden Test century and getting India out of a dire situation.
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