Starc’s chasing wickets

MITCHELL Starc has made it clear Australia’s fast-bowling cartel do not want to be rested and expect to be given the chance to go for the throat in Adelaide.

Selectors are facing an agonising decision over whether to try and land the killer blow with an unchanged attack or play the longer game this Ashes series.

Australia’s instinct after what looms as an emphatic victory in Brisbane would normally be to back in the same fast-bowling attack for the second Test with a view towards delivering a knockout blow.

Going up 2-0 heading to Perth would put Australia in an almost unstoppable position to reclaim the urn.

However, after a match of heavy workloads for the pacemen, pink-ball specialist Chadd Sayers could be on the cusp of a stunning Test debut.

Asked if workloads were a concern after getting through approximately 40 overs each at the Gabba, Starc said he, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood expect to be given the chance to back up for the second Test.

“We bowled about 50 overs every Test match last summer and that was a six-Test match summer,” Starc said.

“I don’t see why it’s any different this summer and as far as I know we’re all going well.

“I expect it to be the same squad and hopefully the same line-up going into Adelaide as well.”

England yesterday missed a gigantic opportunity to truly push the trio to breaking point at the Gabba, but even so, Australia has plenty to think about

when it comes to over-exerting their prized quicks.

Starc (44 overs for the match) appeared to be clutching at his right ankle towards the end of the bowling innings, although that didn’t stop him tearing through the English tail to take three wickets in 10 balls.

The big left-armer said he had no injury concerns but was struggling with the uneven footholes.

Hazlewood (38 overs) was far from his best in this Test, but still produced two jaffers, including one to knock over England captain Joe Root at a moment when the match could have gone either way.