It was the response the Australian cricket team needed.

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After being demolished by 295 runs in the first test by India, Australia needed someone to stand up and make a statement early in Adelaide. And Mitch Starc delivered.

After he steamed in to deliver the first ball on Friday afternoon, Starc struck Yashasvi Jaiswal on the pads as the home crowd roared in anticipation before the exciting top order batsmen was given out LBW.

They were scenes reminiscent of Rory Burns’ dismissal at the Gabba in 2021, as Jaiswal walked across his crease before being trapped on the pads.

“Mitchell Starc does it again! It’s not unfamiliar territory… so regular, so full, he attacked the stumps,” Fox Cricket commentator Adam Gilchrist said.

“The perfect start for Australia!”

It was almost a release of the pressure gauge, that has reached maximum over the past couple of days.

Fox Footy commentator Gerard Whateley said “the fightback is on!” on SEN.

Starc roared loudly as his Australian teammates flocked to him in celebration.

Veteran cricket journalist Bharat Sundaresan posted on X: “Rarely seen or heard so many people in Adelaide so excited at once. Probably one of the loudest roars heard at @TheAdelaideOval when Mitch Starc struck Yashasvi Jaiswal on the pads with the first ball of the Test.”

It came after Jaiswal sledged Starc in the opening test in Perth, laughing and saying Starc was “bowling too slow”.

Jaiswal awoke the beast and it’s fair to say Starc had the last laugh as he removed the left-hander for a golden duck.

AAP’s Olly Caffrey posted: “Cricket, the ultimate leveller.”

cricket.com.au wrote: “FIRST BALL OF THE TEST! Mitchell Starc sends Adelaide into delirium.”