Pace spearhead Mitchell Starc is in ominous form leading up to the Ashes after snaring a hat-trick in each innings of a domestic first-class match, creating a first in Australia. The left-arm fast bowler took the last three wickets of Western Australia's first innings and repeated the sequence in the second innings Tuesday, leading New South Wales to a 171-run victory.
It was the first time a bowler has taken a hat-trick in each innings of a first-class match in Australia.
The Ashes series starts Nov. 23 at the Gabba in Brisbane, where Australia is expected to field the all-New South Wales bowling attack of Starc and his fellow quicks Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon.
England has two more warm-up matches before the test series begins, commencing with a day-night pink ball match against an Australian Chairman's XI starting Wednesday in Adelaide. Allrounder Moeen Ali and pace bowler Steven Finn have been ruled out of the tour match with injuries sustained last week in Perth.
Earlier on Monday, Starc wrapped up the Western Australia first innings with three yorkers, bowling Jason Behrendorff and Simon Mackin and trapping David Moody leg before wicket to finish with figures of 4/56.
The left-armer, who will spearhead Australia's bowling attack in the five-Test Ashes series has taken 17 wickets at an average of 12.5 in four first-class innings this season.
