Paceman hopeful of strong Tri-Series performance
Australia left-armer Mitchell Starc is one of the world’s most lethal limited-overs bowlers in his day – but those days have been few and far between in the past 12 months.
Starc played the last of his 19 One-Day Internationals in June 2013, before being ruled out of the home summer with a stress fracture in his lower back.
From his limited opportunities in the 50-over game, the 24-year-old has already collated a superb record with the ball, averaging 19.91 and boasting a strike-rate of 23.6 with the ball.
He has also claimed three four-wicket hauls and three five-wicket hauls – effectively grabbing at least four wickets in one out of three matches.
But while the numbers are impressive, it has been injury that has prevented the New South Welshman from adding to them in recent times.
Now though, Starc feels his fitness and body is in a place where it can handle the arduous period of cricket that lies ahead.
“It’s been great to be in the gym for two-and-a-bit months working on that strength and that fitness to get us ready for a lot of cricket ahead,” he told cricket.com.au.
“It’s probably been two or three seasons since I’ve had a proper pre-season, so to get that time in the gym, getting that strength back, getting a bit of running in the legs, and to be around the state squad as well as the Australian squad, it’s been fantastic to do that.
“It’s probably something we won’t have the chance to do that again in the next few years with the schedule we’ve got.”
Starc believes that tough lessons learned in the early phase of his career has him well placed to benefit as he moves into his mid-20s.
“It’s about being able to bowl long days, long months, whatever it may be, but to do it for a long time and do it well,” he said.
“As a young bowler it’s all about bowling. As you get older you learn more about your body, you’ve experienced a few injuries, experienced the rehab and what it takes to get back as some of the older guys have.
“It’s about leaving no stone unturned in your preparation; your pre-season, your strength sessions, everything through the tours as well to make sure you’re doing all you can to make sure your body’s right for the next day or the next tour or the next match.
“It’s definitely a learning experience; you’re learning on your feet in terms of knowing your body and doing all you can to not get injured.”
Starc is well aware of the challenges that face him in terms of becoming a regular fixture of Australia’s XI ahead of the World Cup, particularly with the glut of fast-bowling talent in the country.
“With (the World Cup) approaching it’s always in the back of someone’s mind,” he said.
“I’d like to make my way back into all three formats and I haven’t played a one-day game for a fair while now so that’s the first stepping stone for me.
“If I get my chance on this tour of Zimbabwe it’s about taking those chances and one step from there is the tour of the UAE.
“To have the opportunity to play (a World Cup) in your home country is a massive goal and something that every cricketer in Australia is going to be trying to get to.
“Aside from the Ashes, the World Cup is one of the big events of any cricketer’s career.
And with the might of South Africa looming in Harare next week, Starc also had a novel solution for how to handle his Royal Challengers Bangalore team-mate, and the man considered by many to be the world's best batsman, AB de Villiers.
"Well he hits the ball a long way," Starc grinned. "Maybe just give him a one, get him off strike and let Ryno (Ryan Harris) do the rest."
Considering Harris is absent from this Tri-Series, that responsibility may have to be taken by Starc himself - and one senses the paceman has it in him to take up the challenge.
CA
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