STARC REALITY

England just not good enough as tailender hits 77, then shines with ball

- BY RORY DOLLARD

GLOAT TAIL Starc celebrates his 50

ENGLAND'S beleaguered batters have held "no discussions" about the repetitive nature of their Ashes dismissals.

But assistant coach Marcus Trescothick insists they "respect the game".

The larger-than-life aggression that has characterised the ups and downs of the so-called 'Bazball' era has detonated on arrival in Australia, with a growing collection of increasingly familiar dismissals.

After being shot out for 172 and 164 in a two-day defeat in Perth, England's batsmen had another nightmare at the crease with Zak Crawley top-scoring with 44 in their second innings at The Gabba yesterday.

To add insult to injury, fast bowler Mitchell Starc showed captain Ben Stokes and Co just how it should be done with a gritty 77 batting at nine (right) in Australia's first innings to frustrate England.