The Ashes: Mitchell Starc grabs TWO hat-tricks in one game to make history ahead of First Test v England

AUSSIE fast bowler Mitchell Starc is in fearsome form, as he became the first man to take TWO hat-tricks in the same first-class game in Australia.

Starc, 27, is set to lead the Australian attack in the Ashes against England starting in Brisbane in two weeks time.

PA:Press Association

PA:Press Association

And the left-arm paceman became only the eighth player in first-class cricket history — and the first in 39 years — to achieve two hat-tricks in the same match.

Starc was the hero, as his devastating bowling spearheaded New South Wales to victory over Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield.

Having removed Jason Behrendorff, David Moody and Simon Mackin in WA’s first innings to complete his first career hat-trick, Starc then got both Behrendorff and Moody again off the final two deliveries of his 15th over.

Jono Wells then edged Starc on the first ball of his next over to Australia and NSW captain Steve Smith at first slip to end the match.

PA:Press Association

PA:Press Association

PA:Press Association

Starc finished with the match figures of seven for 97 in NSW’s 171-run victory.

He also took a career-best 8-73 for NSW against South Australia under lights at Adelaide Oval and looks in ominous touch ahead of the Test series.

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Australia take on England in the first of five Ashes Test matches in Brisbane, starting on November 23.

England’s former tormentor in chief Mitchell Johnson tweeted his appreciation, urging Starc, to “rip in to the poms”.

The news comes as England are having to call up a replacement bowler after Steven Finn was ruled out with a knee injury.

Australian leg-spinner Jimmy Matthews remains the only player to take two hat-tricks in a Test match after he did it against South Africa in Manchester in 1912.

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