Aussies urged to unleash Starc, go for throat
RYAN Harris says if Mitchell Starc proves his fitness today, Australia must worry about South Africa later and play their spearhead quick in Sydney.
The former champion fast bowler says there is no such thing as an Ashes dead-rubber especially on Starc’s home soil, but Harris also backed in Jackson Bird as the perfect shadow, adamant the “Vernon Philander-like” right-armer is also a must-have selection for the crucial tour of South Africa to follow.
Despite Bird walking away from the Boxing Day Test with bruising figures of 0-108, Harris has declared he should not be judged by one performance on an unacceptable MCG pitch.
Arguably South Africa’s biggest weapon in the fourTest series in March will be swing king Philander, who possesses a freakish bowling average of a wicket every 18 runs he concedes on home soil, and Harris says Bird can mimic one of the craftiest bowlers in the world.
Starc is expected to bowl in Australia’s full session today, as Australia weigh up whether or not to wrap the big leftarmer in cotton wool for his big mission in South Africa.
“You speak to the player, as a player you want to be playing. You don’t like missing games, especially in these big series,” Harris said.
“Obviously we wanted a 5-0 whitewash, they can’t get it … but I’m sure if Mitchell Starc is fit, he’ll be definitely playing.
“As he said, the decision might have been taken out of his hands in Melbourne, but it’s an Ashes series and let’s worry about South Africa when that comes.
“He’s home in Sydney … if he’s fit, he’s definitely playing this Test match.”