Mitchell Starc has spoken on the atmosphere at the MCG in the final session and that hat-trick ball which almost engrained the quick in cricketing folklore.
Starc impressed with the bat in the final session before England came to the crease, the tourists hoping to survive 12 overs with the loss of minimal wickets.
However, as they’ve consistently done this series, England collapsed in a heap to get to stumps on day two at 4-31.
Starc was a big part of that with two wickets to his name, and said things should be a little easier on day three after Australia’s late charge.
“It was a great atmosphere, to have 40,000 or so people here yesterday, it’s great to be playing in front of crowds again, especially in Australia,” he told SEN Test Cricket before day three.
“Nothing too different goes through the mind, it’s just about doing our jobs.
“It was just nice for the bowling group to take four wickets with us last night and make the job a little easier on the second innings come today.”
Having claimed the wickets of Zak Crawley and Dawid Malan in successive deliveries, Starc was on a hat-trick in the last half hour of play when England captain Joe Root strode to the crease.
The 31-year-old bowled a beautiful delivery that went across Root, who played and missed, with Starc just millimetres away from one of the great Boxing Day moments.
“I put it exactly where I wanted to and it almost did too much,” Starc continued.
“I just wanted to put it in a spot where Joe was going to have to play at it, I did that and it didn’t quite find the edge
“I can’t say I’ve bowled too many better hat-trick balls, just didn’t find the edge, unfortunately.”
Starc is the leading wicket-taker in the series before play on day three with 14 poles to his name.
Listen to the full chat with Mitchell Starc below