Root call to ‘do a Mitch’

Healy gets handy tips from hubby

AUSTRALIAN wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy won’t have any trouble sourcing some elite pink-ball pointers ahead of next week’s inaugural women’s day-night Ashes cricket Test in Sydney.

Healy’s husband Mitchell Starc is arguably the world’s most potent bowler with the innovative ball in hand.

The left-armer swung the pink ball to perfection in a daynight Sheffield Shield clash that finished on Sunday, snaring career-best innings figures of 8-73 to deliver NSW victory.

Healy was also in action on Sunday, when she top-scored with 71 in Australia’s ODI loss to England that makes it all the more important.

Australia hold a 4-2 points lead in the multi-format series. Victory in the day-night Test will ensure they retain the urn.

Healy’s side travel to Canberra for a three-day game against an ACT XI that will feature a pink ball and shape their plans for the Test that starts at North Sydney Oval next Thursday. ENGLAND have found an unlikely inspiration heading into this summer’s Ashes cricket series – their former tormentor Mitchell Johnson.

Johnson tore England to shreds when Australia whitewashed the old enemy 5-0 on home soil four years ago, taking 37 wickets at an average of just 13.97.

The paceman is now retired from Test cricket but England captain Joe Root is urging his team to use Johnson’s Ashes heroics as an inspiration.

“To win an Ashes series, you need guys to step up and do that,” Root said.

England play a two-day match against a Western Australia XI in Perth this weekend.