STARC FLAT DECK QUEST
Reverse swing key to success in Bangalore
MITCHELL Starc believes he can revive the curse of Bangalore by exploiting the dark arts of reverse swing and India’s “weakness” against lethal fast bowling.
When the big-turningpoint moments presented themselves in the first Test, it was Starc who delivered, and as well as believing he can explode on even the most docile wicket, the self-styled allrounder is also focused on making an impact swinging for the fences with the bat.
On a rank turner in Pune, Starc was still able to make the ball fly when it mattered, and has declared there’s nothing India’s pitch doctors can do to take him out of the game, particularly on a Bangalore pitch he has called home in the IPL.
In contrast to Australia’s historic struggles in India, their record in Bangalore of two wins, two draws and one loss is strong, with the record led by the performances of fast bowlers.
Making the ball bounce on home soil in Australia is no state secret, but Starc’s skills are so dynamic and precises he has proven a danger man in subcontinental conditions where his kind traditionally perish.
“You’ve got to these days. Conditions are so different around the world — fast bowlers have to find a way to get wickets,” he said.
“For me it’s trying to use my air speed and getting that ball reversing.
“[Bounce and pace] is not something many batsmen like, especially the guys over in the subcontinent, so if we can get up around their nose every now and then . . . hopefully there’s a little bit of bounce in the Bangalore wicket.
“I can’t see [the wicket] being too bouncy or quick because it’s a weakness of the Indian batters.”
Starc backs his ability to bounce batsmen on any surface, but is making no secret of the fact reverse swing will have to be his bread and butter in Bangalore, where he expects the bat to dominate.
Predicting first-innings totals to potentially exceed 500 on a flat wicket with little turn, Starc will try to use the methods that enabled Michael Kasprowicz to win a Test match 13 years ago.
Bangalore will feature several wickets on the centre square, and the Australians will be working feverishly to keep one side of a rough ball as shiny as possible.
“Last year’s Sri Lankan series is probably a blueprint for the way I want to bowl over here in terms of using my air speed and really exploiting that reverse swing to batsmen,” he said.
“I’m sure it will be a pretty dry wicket again so that’ll probably help reverse swing and we know we’ve got huge reverse swing when we’ve got it here in India. If you’re moving it off the straight, it makes it hard no matter where you’re batting or if it’s home or away conditions.”
Starc’s thrilling 61 off 63 balls in Pune saved Australia from an inadequate firstinnings total and according to captain Steve Smith was the defining moment in the match. Confident as a batsman, Starc has vowed to not change his approach to taking the game away from the opposition.
“I’m just going to stick to my game plans,” he said.
“I’m a bit taller and have a bit more reach so those little rough areas in front of me don’t worry me as much as the shorter guys.
“The skipper and coach backed my decisions out there, looking to score runs and not get too tied down and to play with a bit of freedom. I enjoy my batting and I’ll keep trying to hit a few over the rope.”
Starc was part of the horror Homeworkgate tour of India back in 2013, and admits the rampant win in Pune has done wonders for Australia’s confidence.
However, while he’s hopeful, Starc does not be- lieve the collapses that destroyed India in Pune will have set in like a disease.
“Hopefully it means you blokes [media] are talking about their collapse instead of ours now,” he said.
“Hopefully we can try and create a few more collapses in the Indian line-up, but we know it’s going to be a better wicket in Bangalore.
“One Test is not going to win us a series.”