MELBOURNE: Australia paceman Mitchell Starc has urged curators to prepare bowler-friendly pitches for the Ashes, warning against flattening surfaces to maximize five-day earnings as England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach looms.
Australia defeated India 3-1 last home summer on pitches that offered encouragement to batsmen and bowlers alike, and Starc said he hoped that would continue in the five-Test series against England.
“I hope the groundsmen stick to their guns and prepare the wickets they want,” Starc told Australian media.
“If we’re worried about five days’ turnover, then there are bigger problems at hand.”
Left-armer Starc took a four-wicket haul for New South Wales on a tepid Sydney Cricket Ground pitch on Monday in the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria.
Although encouraged by his bowling in his first first-class match since July, Starc said the wicket would have played right into the hands of the England batsmen.
“Yes no doubt. Especially if they are quite docile wickets like this,” he said.
“We know the way they try to play their cricket. We will worry about that next week.”
Starc, who recently left T20I cricket to extend his career in Tests, said his bowling rhythm was back after a long break from red-ball cricket and he was building up nicely for the Ashes series opener in Perth starting on November 21.
“I think the break was a good thing, but I tend to just be someone who constantly bowls to keep the rhythm,” said the 35-year-old.
“I’ve just spoken to (head coach) Ronnie (Andrew McDonald), I think I’ve got it sorted and now it’s just a matter of getting the engine going again.”
