Ashes 2023: Mitchell Starc willing to stick to ‘his strengths’ ‘rather than ‘trying to be like Josh Hazlewood or Pat Cummins’

Mitchell Starc. (Photo Source: Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)

Australia speedster Mitchell Starc has been playing a crucial role for the Pat Cummins-led side after missing the first Test in the ongoing Ashes series in England. Despite Australia being outplayed by three wickets at Headingley, he took seven wickets in the Test match, bringing his series total to 13 wickets from two games. Australia now rely more on the fast bowler for their attack in the fourth Test at Old Trafford as they look to take revenge for the setback at Leeds and win the Ashes.

Starc played only one Test at Old Trafford due to Australia’s effort to limit England’s scoring in the 2019 series, and he was regularly sidelined during the series due to a focus on economy rates. However, the 33-year-old took four wickets in the win in Manchester, but he thought it had a negative impact on his game.

Furthermore, he believes that the economy rates are unlikely to be the determining factor in the ongoing five-game series, which is why he is having his career-best Ashes series.

“There was a big [focus] on economy rates last time which plenty of guys spoke about throughout the tour, and we all bought into that. And that was something that worked really [well] for us to retain the Ashes then. [But] it affected my approach, certainly going back to Australia and losing some airspeed. It took away from some of my strengths and some of the role that I play in our attack,” Starc was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

The left-armer went on to say that he will stick to his talents and what he brings to Australia’s bowling rather than attempting to emulate Josh Hazlewood or Pat Cummins, adding that it will not endorse the group.

“I wasn’t going to change that this time, and if that meant I didn’t play, so be it. I was going to stick to my strengths and what I bring to the attack rather than trying to be someone like Josh [Hazlewood] or someone like Pat [Cummins], because that’s not going to complement the group,” he added.