After sitting out the opening Test of the 2017 Ashes series in England, Australia’s Mitchell Starc has been playing a significant role for the Pat Cummins-led team.
Despite Australia outplaying them by three wickets at Headingley, he took seven wickets in the Test, bringing his series total to 13 from two games. In the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Australia will now place a greater emphasis on its fast bowlers as they attempt to avenge their defeat at Leeds and reclaim the Ashes.
Mitchell Starc was frequently benched throughout the 2019 series because of an emphasis on economy rates, and he only played one Test at Old Trafford as a result of Australia’s attempt to reduce England’s score. The 33-year-old did, however, take four wickets in the victory over Manchester, but he felt it affected his game negatively.
He also believes that the outcome of the current five-game series won’t likely depend on the state of the economy, which is why he is having his best Ashes series ever.
“Last time, the economy rates were a major topic of discussion among many of the guys on the tour, and we all bought into it. And back then, that was something that helped us keep the Ashes really [successfully]. However, it had an impact on my approach, causing me to lose some airspeed and return to Australia. Starc was quoted by CRICKETMOOD as stating, “It took away some of my strengths and part of the role that I play in our attack.
The left-armer continued by saying that he won’t support the group and will stick to my strengths and what he adds to Australia’s bowling rather than trying to sound like Josh Hazlewood or Pat Cummins.
I wasn’t going to do it differently this time, so if that meant I couldn’t participate, then so be it. I was going to stick to my abilities and what I offer to the assault instead of trying to be someone like Josh [Hazlewood] or someone like Pat [Cummins], because that won’t enhance the group, he continued.