Twitter Reactions: Mitchell Starc's four-fer keeps Australia on top at the Oval

The final chapter of the riveting Ashes 2023 began as Australia and England locked horns in the fifth Test at Kennington Oval, London on Thursday, July 27. Australian captain Pat Cummins won the final Toss of the series and invited England to bat first amid overcast conditions.

The invitation was happily accepted by the hosts as the opening duo of Zak Crawley (22) and Ben Duckett (41) added 62 runs for the first wicket. Mitchell Marsh drew the first blood for his side as he got Duckett strangled down the leg side. The wicket opened the floodgates for England as Crawley and Root (5) returned to the pavilion cheaply, leaving their side reeling at 73/3.

Harry Brook walked in at number five and played in his usual manner, taking England to 131/3 at Lunch. Moeen Ali (34) and Brook extended their partnership to 111 as they began clobbering the Australian seamers all around the ground. Todd Murphy ended the dangerous-looking partnership for Australia as he breached Moeen’s defence.

Australia once again clawed their way back into the game with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood picking three wickets between them to leave England on 212/7. Good contributions from Chris Woakes (36) and Mark Wood (28) lower down the order took England to 283. Mitchell Starc was the pick of the bowlers for Australia with figures of 4/82 in 14.4 overs while Toddy Murphy (2/22) and Josh Hazlewood (2/54) picked up two wickets each.

Warner got out to Woakes for third consecutive time

As Australia began their innings, all eyes were once again set on David Warner vs Stuart Broad's battle as the duo once again faced off. The southpaw survived a few close calls against his nemesis and went on to add 49 runs for the first wicket with Usman Khawaja. However, Warner (24) once again got out after a good start losing his wicket for the third consecutive time against Chris Woakes.

Marnus Labuschagne (2*) walked in at number three and batted through the day to take Australia to stumps along with Usman Khawaja (26*). Australia finished the day on 61/1, trailing England by 222 runs. Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions on another action-packed day of Ashes.

Here are some of the Tweets:

There must be something about those Oval changerooms... 😴#Ashes pic.twitter.com/i2vH1T74kJ

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) July 27, 2023

Morning so far #Ashes pic.twitter.com/V2S5GIkFrw

— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) July 27, 2023

Cracker of a ball from Starc to Bowl Stokes 🎯 #SwingStreet#Ashes2023 pic.twitter.com/qUcZ5brlQO

— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) July 27, 2023

Mitchell Starc on England soil (Test)

2013: 11 wkts @ 32
2015: 18 wkts @ 31
2019: 4 wkts @ 32

-Failed in England
-Lost his Prime
-Dropped from the Ashes playing XI

Then he made a comeback

Mitchell Starc in Ashes 2023
-Matchs 4
-Wickets 19
-Avg 27
Never write him off pic.twitter.com/GDU9hKvjBi

— Rafi Sikder (@rafi_sikder17) July 27, 2023

Mitchell Starc Vs Ben Stokes in Test

Runs - 175
Balls - 277
Wickets -9
Average - 19.4

In ODi

Runs - 34
Balls - 50
Wickets -3
Average - 11.3

Nothing is permanent!!!
But Starcy owns Stokes Permanent. pic.twitter.com/B4maQq3bpz

— Rafi Sikder (@rafi_sikder17) July 27, 2023

The world if Alex Carey took the catch off Harry Brook.#Ashes pic.twitter.com/tPWPSD8J6p

— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) July 27, 2023

Harry Brook has to be in the top 3 batters in the current era when it comes to having the best eye in the business. Amazing how quickly he’s able to pick the length even against the best in the world like Pat Cummins #Ashes

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) July 27, 2023

Harry Brook has the most 50+ scores in the series

4 - Brook
3 - Khawaja, Stokes, Head
2 - Crawley, Root, Labuschagne, Duckett, Bairstow, Marsh

— Matt Roller (@mroller98) July 27, 2023

Forget about his score, Harry Brook edged behind on 5, so that's a moral victory for Australia.

— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale) July 27, 2023

Harry Brook is another young shining star. The way he has changed his gear & adapted to the requirements of Test cricket is commendable. #Ashes23

— Aalia Rasheed (@aaliaaaliya) July 27, 2023

Harry Brook, strike rate 91, batting first session after England lose 3/11. This is must watch Test cricket. #Ashes

— Andrew Wu (@wutube) July 27, 2023

You know, I’ve really enjoyed seeing Moeen play for England again. If this is indeed his last hurrah, I’m pleased Ben Stokes gave him the chance. pic.twitter.com/zyfiUNrBll

— WG RumblePants (@WG_RumblePants) July 27, 2023

The Sydney Test seems the right time for David Warner to retire, if you mean last summer's Sydney Test.

— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale) July 27, 2023