Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has put any injury concerns aside, as he is fully focused and ready to take on the challenge of bowling India once again in the ongoing Boxing Day Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). In Melbourne.
Mitchell Starc was experiencing “slight pain in his back or rib” and even needed physiotherapy on Day 3 of the ongoing fourth Test between India and Australia in Melbourne.
Mitchell Starc rises above injury fears, preparing to work hard in a Boxing Day test
However, Australian pacer Starc did not leave the field as Nitish Kumar Reddy and Sundar Washington put up a solid fight for India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Starc bowled 25 overs but failed to take a wicket as India responded with 369 to Australia's first innings total of 474 in the ongoing Boxing Day Test. When asked about his physical fitness before the fourth day’s match, the Australian player confirmed that he feels good and has not lost any pace.
With Josh Hazlewood ruled out with a calf injury, Starc's role has become even more important, as the Australian pace attack, made up entirely of bowlers over the age of 30, looks to keep up the pressure on India. Starc is now ready to give it his all in India's second tour and is ready for the hard work that lies ahead.
“It's all good… my speed hasn't dropped. I'm ready to go today,” Mitchell Starc was quoted as saying by SEN.
Mitchell Starc discusses the physical strain of the five-Test series against India
Meanwhile, Starc also spoke about the challenge of being a key spinner during the five-match Test series against India. The star acknowledged the physical strain of back-to-back matches and long days, especially after Australia were short of a bowler in the previous Test.
Despite the challenge, Starc stressed that hard work is part of Test cricket, and he is ready for the tough days ahead in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against India.
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The star added: “I'm not sure anyone really understands that unless they have to do it. It is what it is; it's Test cricket. It's a series of five Tests, some close matches back to back, and a few long days.”
Obviously we were a bowler in the last Test, probably the old MCG. It's going to be hard work over the last couple of days, but this is Test cricket, that's what we're here for.
Reflecting on the MCG, Starc says it is not as bowler-friendly as expected
Starc also explained that the pitch for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG is not as bowler-friendly as it has been in recent Test encounters. The player noted that the pitch did not appear to be deteriorating as expected and that the new ball did not provide as much movement as they had hoped.
“We thought it might do more with the new ball, which it probably didn't,” he signed off, “We've bowled some really good ones without any reward, so it's very good old-fashioned Test cricket – a bit like the old MCG.” We cast some really good spells.
