Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has urged curators to prepare bowler-friendly pitches for the upcoming Ashes series, warning against flattening surfaces in pursuit of five-day revenue as England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach looms.
Speaking to Australian media, Starc said he hoped pitches would continue to offer balance between bat and ball, similar to those used during Australia’s 3-1 Test series win over India last summer.
“I hope the groundsmen stick to their guns and prepare the wickets they want,” Starc said. “If we are worried about five days of revenue then there’s bigger problems at hand.”
The left-armer took four wickets for New South Wales on a slow Sydney Cricket Ground surface in a Sheffield Shield match against Victoria on Monday. Though pleased with his performance in his first first-class outing since July, Starc admitted such pitches would favour England’s attacking batters.
“Yeah, no doubt. Especially if they’re pretty docile wickets like this,” he said. “We know the way they’re trying to play their cricket. We’ll worry about that next week.”
Starc, who recently retired from T20 internationals to prolong his Test career, said he had regained his bowling rhythm after an extended break from red-ball cricket and was building towards the Ashes opener in Perth on November 21.
“I think the break was a good thing, but I just tend to be someone who stays in rhythm through continuous bowling,” said the 35-year-old. “I’ve just been speaking to Ronnie (head coach Andrew McDonald), and I think I’ve sorted it out. Now it’s just about getting the engine going again.”
