Vince reveals the stark truth of ‘magic ball’
JAMES VINCE said he could have faced Mitchell Starc’s magic ball “20 or 30 times” and he would have been out again on every single one of them.
Starc hit a crack in the middle of the pitch, sending the ball sharply off its trajectory from leg to hammer into off stump and ending an excellent half-century from England’s No3.
The delivery certainly set the alarm bells going off in England’s dressing room as they were battling to somehow save the Perth Test and the series.
“It’s still frustrating to get out, but it’s easier to take than the ones you feel like you’re at fault yourself,” said Vince of the manner of his dismissal. “If I faced that another 20 or 30 times I think it would get me out every time.
“Give him credit there, sweep it under the carpet and move on.”
Mark Taylor, who was commentating for host broadcaster Channel Nine, called the delivery the “ball of the summer” but there was undoubtedly a huge element of luck involved.
It was frustrating for Vince, who is under pressure to nail down the No3 position, because he was enjoying his most comfortable knock of the series and going well on 55 at the time.
He said: “It was frustrating because I felt in previous innings I was a little hesitant. I’ve got in a few times and got out. I was trying to be more positive in my mind, to help my footwork and decision-making. For the time I was out there I felt pretty good.”
The vultures are circling England’s Ashes campaign after the latest failure by Alastair Cook and a rash shot from captain Joe Root landed the tourists further in the mire.
Yet Vince insisted anyone writing them off, either in this series in Root’s case or his career in Cook’s, does so at their peril. “Those two guys, if they don’t score runs in one innings, you expect them to do it in their next innings,” said Vince. “They have shown in their careers they don’t often have long periods without scoring runs. “Other guys in the dressing room look at them and expect them to score runs. It won’t happen for them all the time, but I’m sure they are both mentally strong and capable. Fingers crossed that next time they make a big contribution.”
Cook and Root were both out for 14, lasting just 20 deliveries each, the former to a wonder caught-and-bowled by Josh Hazlewood and Root driving loosely at the first ball of spin he faced against Nathan Lyon.
“Rooty is a world-class player and I’m sure he might be a bit disappointed [with his shot]. But generally, he’s one of the best in
the world.”