Starc reminds of frailties Down Under
MITCH Starc says reopening Indian scars Down Under can heal Australia’s ball- tampering hurt in the Border- Gavaskar series opener at Adelaide Oval.
Virat Kohli’s men believe Australia is there for the taking, having been floored by the loss of banned duo Steve Smith and David Warner.
However Starc noted India was without a series triumph here in 71 years. Extending the visitors’ drought could speed up the recovery from Australian cricket’s darkest episode.
“Exactly right. I think they are out to prove those stats wrong,” said Starc, when asked of the pressure India was under to win in Australia.
“We are out there to prove we can play really good cricket after an indifferent nine months as well. There is a lot to prove for both sides.”
Australia has been encouraged by legends including Brett Lee to go hard at India and silence Kohli. The message has sunk in.
“I guess we had a chat about all their guys on Monday and that may have been one things that came up,” Starc said.
“We know how much Virat loves performing in Australia, performing against us, and the rest of that team run off the back of him. We came with plenty of things for Virat and hopefully we can stick to those plans.”
Starc wants to replicate his man- of- the- match, nine- wicket haul against South Africa in Durban last March – Australia’s last win. Starc has 17 wickets at 18 in Adelaide, giving the spearhead lots of confidence.
“I have had some good memories,” said Starc, who has terrorised teammates in the Adelaide nets this week.
“The tables will turn, we are doing so much work off the field, hopefully that translates into some good performances.
“It sounds like they are going to prepare the pitch the same way they do a pink ball Test, which is exciting. The wicket is suited to red ball.”
Australia has rolled the dice in forecast hot conditions, axing the safety net of Mitch Marsh’s bowling to shore up its batting with Peter Handscomb at No. 5.
Starc backed Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon to deal with an unforgiving workload, as demonstrated in Australia’s Ashes thrashing of England last summer.
“Gazza speaks for himself, over 300 Tests wickets, loves playing in Australia and performing on the big stage. You have a left- armer, a rightarmer who is very Glenn McGrath- like and Pat Cummins, who smacks the wicket, bowls a fast bumper and can swing them both ways,” said Starc.
Starc says Australia has reviewed India’s players, with Murali Vijay having a target on his back. The opener is expected to replace Prithvi Shaw and Starc has claimed him three times in Test cricket.