Starc ready to play as Australia's lone pacer in Test series against Pakistan

Waseem Ahmed 13:21 26/09/2018
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  • Starc will lead Australia's pace challenge in the UAE.

    Australia’s Mitchell Starc will have his work cut out bowling on spinning and slow tracks in the UAE when his side takes on Pakistan in a two-Test series but the pacer is more than ready to take up the challenge.

    Starc is the only member of the fearsome Australia pace trio to have made the journey to the UAE after injuries ruled out Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

    With Pakistan expected to prepare rank turners in the series to enhance their home advantage, the possibility of Australia lining up with a three-man spin attack is not out of the question.

    If that does indeed happen, Starc could be fielded as the only specialist pacer in the squad which would mean an increased workload for the injury-prone pacer. The 28-year-old fast bowler is ready to step up to that task though, if required.

    “I haven’t had to do that before,” Starc told cricket.com.au on Tuesday.

    Australia are without the services of Cummins and Hazlewood.

    Australia are without the services of Cummins and Hazlewood.

    “If I need to bowl long spells and be the only out-and-out quick, then I can definitely fill that role. We’ve got guys like (all-rounder) Mitch Marsh who’s back bowling now, I’m sure he’ll be a big part of the team with bat and ball. We’ve got other part-timers to call on if need be. If conditions suit spin and they go down the road of the extra spinners, I can change my role slightly again,” he added.

    Starc will be hoping to replicate his performance during Australia’s 2016 tour of Sri Lanka where he bagged 24 wickets in three Tests.

    “It’s something I’ll probably look at and try to take little things out of to take into this series on the subcontinent with where and how I bowled — the lengths and some reverse swing,” Starc said.

    “In the UAE we’ll use the Kookaburra ball like we did in Sri Lanka — hopefully we can get it moving around and I can get a few wickets and help the team out.”

    Australia will take on Pakistan A in a four-day warm-up game at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Saturday. The first of the two Tests between Pakistan and Australia will get underway at Dubai on October 7.

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