Starc threat spurs Silk
MITCHELL Starc at his peak is one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket.
But rather than be daunted by facing the express quick for the first time at Sheffield Shield level, Tasmanian opener Jordan Silk is embracing the challenge that awaits against NSW starting at Drummoyne Oval today.
The Tigers meet a Blues bowling unit that not only contains Starc but Test spinner Nathan Lyon, wily veteran Trent Copeland, Sean Abbott and Harry Conway — the latter coming off a 10-wicket match SHEFFIELD SHIELD, ROUND 2 haul against Queensland. Starc was below his best against the Bulls, returning figures of 0-42 and 1-87, but if he finds his groove there is no more dangerous prospect with both a new Kookaburra and a reverse swinging older ball.
“To have Starc in there, I haven’t played against him in a first-class game so it’s awesome to be able to come up against that,” Silk said.
“That’s what you want, because you know if you perform it reads well for going into the future and it’s also a good sign of showing where you’re at with your game.
“To test yourself against those sort of bowlers is something that you need to be able to do, you need to be able to prove to yourself that you’re up to the level.
“I’m more than confident that I’ll be able to do job there again.”
NSW was the only state to pick up maximum points in the opening round of the competition, with the Tigers settling for a draw against WA.
The clash has been moved from the SCG to Drummoyne Oval due to the pitch block at the SCG being underprepared, with Silk admitting it throws a bit of preparation into doubt.
“We’ve seen a few one-day games played there, maybe one shield game in the past couple years has been there as well, but I’m not too sure what to expect,” he said.
“It’s a club ground so condiFRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 tions might be that it keeps a bit low and slow towards the end of the game. But we’ll assess that when we turn up to the ground tomorrow and have a look at it.”
The visitors will be without spearhead Jackson Bird, who celebrated the arrival of his first child earlier in the week, with spinners Jarrod Freeman and Clive Rose and off-spinning all-rounder Beau Webster coming to the squad.
Silk said Bird’s absence and the expected conditions means the Tigers attack will need to be patient against a Blues lineup boasting Test stars Steve Smith and David Warner.