When Mitchell Starc charges in to bowl against Ben Stokes, you can almost feel the weight of inevitability in the air. It’s not about showmanship or drama; it’s just a sense that something is bound to happen. With 14 Test dismissals to his name more than any other bowler it’s clear this isn’t just a fluke or a passing phase. This is a well-established trend that’s been developing for nearly ten years, as Starc has consistently exploited the same vulnerabilities in Stokes’ game. Ben Stokes is renowned as one of the toughest batters in world cricket mentally unshakeable, physically tough, and capable of turning the tide of a match with sheer determination. Yet, even the strongest steel has its weak spots. And against Mitchell Starc, those weak spots have been relentlessly exposed. The forward stride The first issue we see is Stokes’ tendency to transfer his weight too aggressively. When he leans forward, he really leans in. His front foot lunges out, his head follows suit, and his hands start reaching for the ball. Against most bowlers, this approach works well. But when it comes to Starc, it leaves him exposed. Starc’s inswinger, whether it’s from swing or a wobbly seam, takes advantage of that lunge. As Ben Stokes steps forward to defend or drive, a tiny gap appears between his bat and pad. Mitchell Starc doesn’t need a wide opening; he just needs a sliver. Time after time, the ball has either grazed that inside edge or completely bypassed the bat, sending the stumps flying. The dismissals in Perth and Adelaide during this series were perfect examples of how Stokes committed, Starc swung it back, and just like that, it was game over. Ben Stokes’ urge to play the drive Starc’s true brilliance when facing Stokes is all about the setup. Before he delivers that game-changing ball, he carefully crafts the scene. He starts by pushing Ben Stokes back. Two balls pitched perfectly on a good length, just outside off, moving away. The England captain leaves them alone, defends, and tries to reassure himself. Then comes the tempting delivery, a fuller, straighter ball with just enough width to tease the drive. Stokes can’t help himself. It’s in his nature. That’s when Mitchell Starc makes his move, either swinging it late or getting it to wobble off the seam. The shot Stokes is itching to play is precisely the one Starc wants him to go for. It’s as much about the mind game as it is about technique. Starc has gotten into Stokes’ head. The English captain knows what’s coming, and you can see it in his reactions. Yet, he still walks right into the trap. Also Read | Jacob Bethell's ton kept England at bay in the Final Ashes at Sydney The issue with a closed stance Ben Stokes’ slightly closed stance has always been a key factor in helping him generate power on the leg side. This works to his advantage against right-arm bowlers. However, when facing a left-armer who angles the ball across him and then brings it back, that same stance can turn into a bit of a weakness. With that closed stance, Stokes’ front hip can sometimes get in the way of his bat path when the ball straightens up. When Mitchell Starc brings the ball back in, Stokes often finds himself having to drag his bat around his pad, which creates a bit of a delay. And at speeds over 140 kph, that delay can be disastrous. This is why many of Starc’s dismissals of Stokes appear so clean whether it’s bowled, lbw, or an inside edge. The angles just don’t work in the batter's favor. A rivalry leaning in one direction Great rivalries often have a sense of balance, but this one? Not quite yet. Mitchell Starc has figured out Ben Stokes, both in terms of technique and mindset, and he’s constantly honing his approach. Stokes is a fighter, as we all know, but the stats tell a clear story: he’s been dismissed by Starc 14 times, with six of those being bowled. This has happened across different formats, over the years, and in various conditions. Starc hasn’t just gotten the better of Stokes; he’s really broken down his game. Until Stokes can find a way to control that front-foot lunge, hold back that drive, and trust his defense against the inswinger, this rivalry is likely to stay one of the most lopsided matchups in modern Test cricket.