Mitchell Starc’s wicket-taking skill is essential for Australia’s Ashes tempo assault: Coach Andrew McDonald

By India Today Sports Desk: Australia coach Andrew McDonald reckons that Mitchell Starc’s wicket-taking skill is crucial to the stability of Australia’s tempo assault within the upcoming Ashes sequence in opposition to England.

Starc took 4 wickets however averaged 5.34 runs per over, the costliest efficiency in his 78-Test profession, at The Oval in London, the place Australia received by 209 runs, with Scott Boland impressing a lot of the Australian seamers.

While Pat Cummins stays captain, a fit-again Josh Hazlewood would compete with Starc and Boland for the remaining two spots in Australia’s tempo assault for the primary Ashes Test later this week. McDonald said that Starc was not the one bowler who went for runs in opposition to India and that the 33-year-old aided their tempo assault by offering stability.

“Most of our bowlers went at above what they’d usually go, and we’ve just got to get our heads around that the tempo will be slightly different,” McDonald advised reporters earlier than Australia moved to Edgbaston, which hosts the primary take a look at from Friday.

“Mitch went at a bit more than he generally goes at, but they complement each other really, really well. His wicket-taking ability is second-to-none. We’ve got to weigh all that up when we make decisions.”

Cummins additionally backed Starc, predicting that he’ll play a key function within the five-Test sequence in England.

“He did a role for us that we know Starcy can do after 80 Test matches,” Cummins stated after Sunday’s win in opposition to India.

“He has got a huge tour ahead of him and will play a huge role for us. The English side sets up slightly differently as well. There are a few more left-handers. The wicket is going to be a bit different. I’m really happy with where Starcy is.”