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Ricky Ponting Hails Mitchell Starc’s Career-Best Form as Australia Takes 3-0 Ashes Lead

Ponting cites the addition of a reliable wobble-seam delivery as the catalyst for Starc’s surge.

Overview

  • Starc has 51 wickets in 10 Tests in 2025 at an average of 17.15, the most by any bowler this year.
  • Across the first three Ashes Tests, he has taken 22 wickets at 17.04 and earned two Player-of-the-Match awards.
  • Ponting said on the ICC Review Podcast that he has not seen Starc bowl better at any point in his career.
  • Analysts note Starc now uses a wobble-seam ball that moves across right-handers while retaining his fuller in-swinger as a strike option.
  • Australia leaned on Starc early in the series as Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were unavailable for stretches, and he led the attack decisively.