Australia express pacer Mitchell Starc has no qualms about carrying drinks for his side in the Ashes series in England if it means that they retain the famous urn.
Starc was omitted from the playing XI for the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston which Australia went on to win by 251 runs and the left-armed fast bowler is not worried about missing out again in the second Test at Lord’s as long the bowling unit continues to perform.
“We’re here to win the Ashes,” Starc was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
“We’re not just here to make it on the park. We want to win this Ashes.
“Whether that’s a different bowling attack each game, or the same through five Test matches, it’s pretty exciting.”
It was Pat Cummins, James Pattinson and Peter Siddle who shared the pace responsibilities for Australia in a four-man bowling attack at Edgbaston with Starc and Josh Hazlewood being the unlucky ones to miss out.
Starc picked up two wickets in the recent warm-up clash.
Pattinson, who made his first Test appearance for Australia in more than three years, has come in for some special praise from Starc for the way he has combated his multiple injuries.
“It’s awesome to see Jimmy (Pattinson) back after what he’s been through and I guess similarly what Pat Cummins has been through previously,” Starc said.
“It’s a while ago now but to have those guys back fit and firing … it was fantastic to see him (Pattinson) playing Test cricket again.
“Having his body let him down and to come back and play Test cricket again was pretty special. He’s someone who Josh (Hazlewood) and I have grown up playing with and against, it was great to see him out there.”
Starc and Hazlewood were given a recent run out in Australia’s drawn warm-up game against Worcestershire with the former picking up 2-56 while the latter returned with figures of 3-34.
All eyes will now be on which pace attack Australia will field at Lord’s in the second Ashes Test against England which gets underway on August 14. Tim Paine and his men are attempting to become the first Australian side since 2001 to win an Ashes series on English soil.
