Starc back in swing of things
AUSTRALIAN Test stars have declared Mitchell Starc is back to swinging the pink ball around corners as England’s Ashes “nightmare” began in earnest at a Sydney high school on Saturday.
Some of the game’s biggest names gathered for a centrewicket hitout at the weekend and the overwhelming message to come out was that Starc had rediscovered his fear factor after months out of the game with injury.
David Warner said yesterday that Australia have struggled to swing the pink and white balls of late due to issues with a thicker lacquer.
But after watching Starc terrorise skipper Steve Smith with a frightening short ball in the nets at the Champions Trophy in June, the opener is confident Starc can replicate the Ashes feats of Mitchell Johnson this summer.
Smith added further weight to the ominous threat being posed by Starc when he detailed how he was taken to school by the left- arm weapon’s inswingers over the weekend.
NSW, who are stacked with Test stars, are ready to explode out of the blocks in the pinkball Sheffield Shield opener against South Australia on Friday at Adelaide Oval, which will be crucial practice for the historic second Ashes Test under lights at the same venue.
Warner said Starc was champing at the bit.
“He can swing the ball at 150km/ h,’’ he said. “I’m excited to see him come back and bowl fast and swing the ball.
“I get the luxury of facing him every single net session with the new ball. It’s quite difficult at times when he is swinging it. I know for a fact with the pink ball … in Adelaide when he gets it right … he will be a nightmare for their players. “He’s the X- factor that brings that Mitchell Johnson pace and execution.”