VINCE WICKET... BALL OF THE 21ST CENTURY OR A STROKE OF LUCK?

JAMES VINCE and Craig Overton both suffered from unlucky cracks in Perth, and it could see one of them going home.

Overton (below with Joe Root) has been fighting hard against a cracked rib, most likely sustained when hit by Pat Cummins in Adelaide, but had to concede defeat and leave the field as Australia marched on to their highest ever Ashes score at home.

He has been brave and given his all, but it appears unlikely he will play in either Melbourne or

Sydney with the injury.

Vince’s crack was in the pitch and saw him dismissed by what some are dubbing the ‘ball of the 21st century’ – but which was actually a stroke of good luck for Mitchell Starc who hit a crack running down the middle of the pitch and produced something unplayable.

Credit to Starc for using the conditions, but the ball deviating like a leg break to smash into Vince’s stumps (right) had nothing to do with the left-armer’s skill, which is why it cannot qualify for any awards.

“It’s still frustrating to get out,” said Vince after his rather impressive and entertaining 55. “But it’s easier to take than the ones you feel you’re at fault yourself. If I faced that another 20 or 30 times it would get me out every time. Give him credit, sweep it under the carpet and move on.” After England’s top-order collapse, Vince’s innings was full of positivity and better shotselection. It might have been his breakthrough knock were it not for Starc (right) and his lucky break. “I felt in previous innings I was a little hesitant,” Vince added. “I’ve got in a few times and got out. I was trying to be more positive, to help my decision-making and footwork. “For the time I was out there I felt pretty good.”