Death, taxes, and Mitchell Starc striking in the first over.
That’s how England’s openers must be feeling after falling victim to the veteran quick once again inside the opening half-a-dozen balls of the innings.
As a Josh Hazlewood-less Australia resisted the urge to recall Pat Cummins and made the bold call to go without Nathan Lyon, Starc was the sole member of the modern-day ‘big four’ to take to the Gabba.
And he was quick to quell any fears about an understrength attack by making a stunning early statement. Starc produced a full delivery that slanted towards Ben Duckett’s off-stump and appeared to nip away, with the opener tickling an edge to Marnus Labuschagne at first slip.
It followed Zak Crawley falling victim to Starc in the opening over of both innings in Perth, with the left-armer casting a spell over the top of the England order.
All up, it was the 26th occurrence of Starc taking a scalp in the opening over of a Test innings, and the eighth time he’s done it in the first over of a Test – equalling the feat of England great Jimmy Anderson.
But he wasn’t done there. Just three deliveries later, Starc produced a follow-up strike in his second over, cashing in on a horror shot from Ollie Pope who chopped on while trying to cut.
That wicket drew him level with Wasim Akram for the equal-most by left-armers at Test level with 414.
