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LONDON: Mitchell Starc fired a warning to England鈥檚 batsman by taking his second hat-trick in as many days for New South Wales against Western Australia.
It was the first time anyone had achieved the feat Down Under, with Starc becoming only the eighth man in history to claim back-to-back first-class hat-tricks.
And with the Ashes starting in just over two weeks time, England have been given a wake-up call as to the size of the task that awaits them.
As if the fine form of the left-arm pace ace wasn鈥檛 enough to worry about, Ryan Harris said Australia鈥檚 attack of Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins is even better than the one that destroyed England four years ago.
Then the tourists arrived Down Under on the back of a 3-0 series win over the Baggy Greens and hot favorites to retain the urn.
Just two months later the side was in disarray, having lost 5-0. The Australia victory was largely down to its awesome pace attack, led by Mitchell Johnson, who took 37 wickets at an average of 13.97 over the five Tests in a rare display of brutal fast bowling.
But Harris, who shared the new ball with Johnson, said England shouldn鈥檛 expect an easier challenge this time around, claiming the hosts鈥� attack poses even more of a threat.
鈥淚 think so. Hazlewood鈥檚 probably doing the job that I did and he鈥檚 quicker than me, and he gets more bounce,鈥� Harris, who took 22 wickets at 19 four years ago, said when asked if the current attack was better than the one he was such an integral part of. 鈥淎nd you鈥檝e got Starc who can definitely do a Johnson role, and you鈥檝e got Cummins so you鈥檝e probably got an extra bit of pace.
鈥淐ummins on his day, he鈥檚 fast as well. Obviously we did a good job last time but the key is going to be working as a team, as a bowling unit. That鈥檚 what we did well last time and obviously got the results.鈥�
The problem with England鈥檚 brittle batting line-up is well documented, with the tourists heavily reliant on Alastair Cook and Joe Root to find form and get in the runs. On top of that it is still not known whether the side鈥檚 talisman and all-rounder Ben Stokes will be able to join the squad before the series opener in Brisbane. And, as with many before him, Harris said England will miss Stokes.
鈥淚t鈥檚 huge. He鈥檚 the one that if England lose wickets at the top he is the one that comes out and steadies or counter-attacks. It鈥檚 a big hole for England to be honest. I鈥檓 sure Australia will be happy he鈥檚 not here but they鈥檇 also want him here because you want to play against and win against the best. I guess time will tell whether he comes but I think it鈥檚 a big hole for them.鈥�