Starc back in Australia's Test squad

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA – OCTOBER 02: Mitchell Starc of Australia celebrates the wicket of Mohammad Hafeez of Paksitan during, the ICC World Twenty20 2012 Super Eights Group 2 match between Australia and Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium.

An impressive bowling performance from Mitchell Starc in the shorter-version of the game has eventually earned him a spot in the Test squad for the upcoming series against the Proteas.

Starc also had a successful English county spell during the northern summer, picking up seven first-class wickets at 21.85 in two matches. He had also been a part of Yorkshire in England, and has been a key bowler for Yorkshire. He’s such a quick learner, and that’s the reason behind his success in the limited-overs format. Even during this Champions League, Mitchell Starc has been the leading wicket taker for the Sydney Sixers as he has been the go-to man for Haddin. He can be a very dangerous customer with the new-ball, and during the death overs, he gets the yorkers spot on.

Australia’s all-rounder Shane Watson also backed Mitchell Starc for getting the nod in Test Cricket. He said:

“There’s no doubt that having a left-armer who bowls 140kph and swings the ball back in with a bit of bounce at the Gabba, and in Perth as well, will certainly be a huge asset for our team. He should be in the XI”.

“The way he’s bowling, he’s certainly doing everything he possibly can to give himself the best chance. He’s bowling beautifully, and he showed in the T20 World Cup how well he’s bowling as well, against world class players with a brand new ball. That’s just about as hard a time that you can bowl, because you’ve got world class opening batsmen trying to take you down in the first six overs.”

A left-arm seamer would be ideal in Australia, as earlier this summer when India toured Australia, the conditions were ideal for Zaheer Khan, and he exploited them wonderfully. South Africa also have more left-handers in their line-up, and this is where Mitchell Starc could be handy, as he can move the ball away from the left-hander.

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA – OCTOBER 02: Mitchell starc of Australia celebrates the wicket of Kamran Akmal with teammates Glenn Maxwell and Cameron White during the ICC World Twenty20 2012 Super Eights Group 2 match between Australia and Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium.

When Mitchell Starc was asked about his selection, he stated that England’s county cricket helped him regain his form.

“It’s a bit different I’m only a bowler. Watto’s got to open the batting and come in and bowl through the innings as well. Watto’s obviously had a lot years to work out what’s working for him. What worked for me in England was playing a lot of games back to back, and I’ve probably carried that through, playing as much as I can and tinkering with a few little things and getting things right. Even if I did go home, I’d have to keep bowling as well, so I’d rather do that in games than in the nets”.

“But James Pattinson is back home bowling with a red ball, and I’ll have to do some red ball work over here as well. If I can just keep bowling as well as I can and taking wickets, that’s all I can do, and try and force my way in.”

Starc, therefore holds the key for Australia in their tough series against South Africa. In fact, the red ball swings a lot more than the white, which is enough to show that Starc could be a threat to the Proteas.