How Mitchell Starc got into trouble with the umpires

Starc was handed two official warnings yesterday for landing on the protected area up the middle of the wicket, but countered by saying he only did so because he didn’t want to injure himself by placing his foot in a foot-hole during his delivery stride.

If the umps believe he has done it again today, they have the power to pull him from the attack.

Starc called for Australia to adopt the English method of repairing foot-holes mid-match by smashing them flat.

‘I don’t think they do it anywhere in Australia,’ he said.

‘Obviously in England they re-do them every evening or every morning. Maybe that’s something for the ‘groundies’ around Australia to look at.’

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Turner/Shutterstock (16112898x) Mitchell Starc of Australia during Day 4 of the Men's Ashes at Adelaide Oval. Australia v England, NRMA Insurance Ashes, 3rd Test, Day Four, Cricket, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia - 20 Dec 2025