Last Update: February 27, 2023, 18:00 IST
Mitchell Starc is not fully fit but will play in the third Test against India (AFP Image)
Mitchell Starc reveals he is still not 100% fit but will still play in the third Test between India and Australia
Senior Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc is still ‘100 per cent’ from his injury but looks set to make an impact in the third Test against India. India Starting here on Wednesday.
Australia will rely on Starc to provide the odd breakthrough and support the spinners with skipper Pat Cummins returning home and tending to his ailing mother.
The Indian pacers have already made substantial contributions in the series with Mohammed Shami being the pacer.
“I feel fine. There will be a level of discomfort for a while. I don’t think it will be 100 per cent for a while, but it’s good enough.
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He said, ‘The ball is coming very well and I am bowling with full enthusiasm. This will not be the first Test that I will play with any kind of backache. If I only played when I was 100 per cent, I would have played only 5-10 Tests,” Starc said ahead of Australia’s opening practice session here.
As the Indian fast bowlers have done for their team, Starc would also like to make a significant contribution. He bowled Cameron Green in the nets in full swing for an hour.
“Yeah, it has been a challenge for the Australian fast bowlers. We clearly see spin playing a big role, but the Indian pacers still play a special role with the new ball. And if it’s the reverse, they’ve brought the stumps into play. There is no doubt that spin will again play a big role, but I will have to play an important role with the spinners to get those 20 wickets,” said the left-arm pacer.
Starc and Green are likely pace options for Australia in the game. In Delhi, Cummins was the only pace bowling option at the team’s disposal with the visitors going with three specialist spinners.
The 33-year-old, who has played 75 Tests, hopes that his experience of playing in the subcontinent will come in handy here. He is also feeling good about his body.
“No worries. I had 8-10 days off after the injury. Since then I have been bowling. No worries workload or body-wise. I am happy with where my body is. Now It’s about executing the skills.
“I’m not sure anything has worked for me here in the past. I haven’t played a lot of cricket here. I think the recent experiences in Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play a part.
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“Even though the conditions are different in India in terms of skill set, it is about how you execute on these pitches. What has happened in the past is not always the case. You progress as players and as a group,” Starc said.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)