Mitchell Starc: He (Smith) has been a high-class player and has been a massive part of all formats for Australia, so no concern there
Australia senior bowler Mitchell Starc said on Tuesday that although Steve Smith may need a little more time to get used to sub-continental wickets, the Australian team management is not overly concerned about his bad performance in the first two One Day Internationals against India.
Australia senior bowler Mitchell Starc said on Tuesday that although Steve Smith may need a little more time to get used to sub-continental wickets, the Australian team management is not overly concerned about his bad performance in the first two One Day Internationals against India.
Smith, who is usually a prolific scorer against India, struggled earlier in the Test series in February-March when he could only manage 145 runs over four Tests. However, he has scored 0 and 41 in the first two ODIs on batting-friendly surfaces. Starc, who is recovering from a groin niggle, was speaking ahead of the final ODI scheduled on Wednesday.
“No. His (Smith) numbers speak for himself,”
Starc replied to a query on Smith’s current form.
“He (Smith) has been a high-class player and has been a massive part of all formats for Australia, so no concern there. It is the adjustment factor, coming back to India after a series in South Africa, some guys are coming off a break,”
Starc told reporters here ahead of Australia’s training session at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium.
Starc, who could make a comeback in the third game, highlighted the causes of Australia’s consecutive losses in Mohali and Indore.
“I think we have seen the wickets change throughout both the games, depending on who batted first and in different places. Spin was a massive factor in the second innings the other night (in Indore). We played pretty well under lights in Mohali,”
Starc said.
The left-arm pacer claimed that the conditions are still difficult for the Australian touring team, which includes some newcomers like left-arm bowler Spencer Johnson.
“We have got a lot of guys with IPL experience, we know that the wickets are going to be very different through the night and day, depending on which part of India we play as well — not too many grounds we have played back to back games so, conditions are going to play a part,”
he said.
Starc acknowledged that India, led by Rohit Sharma, is the favorite to win the World Cup, but added that Australia’s ability to adapt will be crucial to find their form.
“We have used quite a wide squad of players, whether that is managing players or players coming back from injury, trying different combinations and whatnot,”
he said.
The pacer acknowledged that Australia’s current performance isn’t ideal as it approaches a major competition.
“Obviously, leading into the World Cup, it is not a position we want to be in but plenty to play for tomorrow — what the make-up of our team looks like, what we want to take into our World Cup campaign.”
Starc feels that the third ODI and the two subsequent warm-up games will give them enough time to prepare for the mega event proper.
“We have got two more opportunities after this game, before the World Cup — another chance to be accustomed to the conditions and adapt to what is being thrown at us against probably the favorites for the World Cup. It is a big day for both teams tomorrow,”
Starc added.
“Maxwell on track”,
says Starc
Starc said like him, Glenn Maxwell too has his sights set on the World Cup.
“He (Maxwell) is on track as well. I am not sure about his particular timeline but no doubt he will be looking to make an impact as soon as he gets his chance,”
Starc said.
“He has got a wealth of experience over here through IPL, through multiple tours. He is certainly an X-factor no matter which team he plays for. This is his third one-day World Cup, he is an x-factor for us who can take the game on.
“His ability with the ball, particularly in these conditions adds to another option in the bowling department as well. He seems in good spirits, (but) his return I am not sure what that looks like for this week but certainly on track for the World Cup,”
Starc added. PTI KHS KHS
India Squad for last ODI: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar.
Australia Squad: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Short, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.
India World Cup 2023 squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.