PAINE SUPPORTING STARC

TIM Paine has admitted Mitchell Starc is struggling — and he can’t hide it.

The Australian captain last night described his embattled fast bowler as an “open book” with his emotions.

However, Paine called for Starc’s overall outstanding record as a Test gamebreaker to be taken into consideration by critics.

Most expected Starc to join the 200 Test wickettakers’ club. But instead he finished yesterday with demoralising figures of 1-123 to remain stranded on 199.

Paine said the team was working around the clock to get the left-armer firing again after a lingering lean patch.

“(Starc’s) a huge confidence player,” Paine said last night.

“We’ve got to be working with him to make sure we’ve got him at his absolute best because we know when he is, we know how valuable he is.

“He’s working on it.”