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Vote: Which is the 'Ball of the 21st Century'?

How does Mitchell Starc's unplayable thunderbolt to James Vince stack up against Ryan Harris's pearler to Alastair Cook?

Spin King Shane Warne is the owner of the Ball of the 20th Century, but what about the Ball of the 21st Century?

Mitchell Starc sparked the debate again on Sunday when he clean bowled England's James Vince with a wicked delivery that jagged off a crumbling WACA Ground pitch and knocked Vince's off stump out of the ground.

Starc's 'ball of the summer' skittles helpless Vince

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan was quick to label it the "Ball of the 21st Century" on Twitter, a tag that has previously been attached to a brilliant delivery from Ryan Harris at the same venue four years ago.

Harris, bowling the first ball of England's second innings, somehow bent a delivery around the bat of Alastair Cook to disturb the skipper's furniture.

Ryno rolls Cook first ball

Is either delivery worthy of the title of the Ball of the 21st Century so far? Or are there others in the past 17 years that have been better?


Vote in our poll above and, for inspiration, take a look at Shane Warne's memorable delivery to Mike Gatting 24 years ago.

The undisputed Ball of the 20th Century

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21