NEW DELHI: Mitchell Starc's extraordinary return catch didn't spark another batting collapse, as England managed to extend their lead to 99 runs at lunch on Saturday in the Ashes opener against Australia.
Only two wickets fell on the second morning in Perth - one for each side. England had taken a 40-run first-innings lead after dismissing Australia for 132, with Brydon Carse claiming the final wicket by removing Nathan Lyon in the sixth over.
Australia had resumed at 123 for nine on Day 2, still trailing England's first-innings total of 172. Starc struck again, dismissing Zak Crawley for a duck - the second consecutive innings Crawley had failed to score against him. However, Ben Duckett (28) and Ollie Pope (24) steadied the innings, taking England to 59 for 1 by lunch.
Duckett survived a rugged last over before lunch. Immediately after charging at Scott Boland and being hit on the left forearm, he was given out lbw to the Australian fast bowler.
England reviewed the decision and ball tracking technology showed Boland's delivery had pitched outside the line, giving Duckett a reprieve on the last ball before the break.
Starc's stunning catch to dismiss Crawley for a pair was the highlight of a comparatively mild session in the context of the first test. He removed the England opener in the first over of the second innings a day after dismissing him in the first over of the match - that started a chaotic opening day when 19 wickets for 295 runs in 72 overs.
Starc, who took a career-best 7-58 on Day 1, was fully into his follow-through after a delivering a ball at around 140 kph (87 mph) and had the athletic ability to lunge to his left and take the catch at full stretch just above ground level to remove Crawley.
The Barmy Army of touring fans were in full voice on the second day, when another crowd of 50,000-plus was expected at Perth Stadium.
(With AP Inputs)
