Australia vs India: Mark Waugh not impressed with Mitchell Starc

As it always happens, the losing side comes under attack from all quarters. After Australia were humbled by India in the first Test of the four-match series in Adelaide by 31 runs, stern reactions have already poured in over the performance of the home team and one player who has been particularly criticised is frontline pacer Mitchell Starc. The left-hand bowler who will turn 29 next month, failed to impress former Australian pacers like Glenn McGrath and Mitchell Johnson during the Test at the Adelaide Oval and now another former cricketer has spoken up disapproving of his performance.

Starc had a better impact on the game as a batsman rather than bowler by putting up a resistance in the lower order against a spirited Indian bowling attack. He made a well-fought 15 and 28 in the two innings while in bowling, he got five wickets. However, the injury-prone bowler was accused of not being able to produce consistent line and lengths during the game. Former Australia batsman Mark Waugh felt the New South Wales bowler has not been able to hit his peak in the last one year and has not been consistent with the red cherry.

Waugh’s words for Starc

“He hasn’t bowled at his best probably the last 12 months,” Waugh told Big Sports Breakfast on Wednesday about the pacer who is just nine wickets short of a tally of 200 in Tests. “He’s just been a little bit off with his consistency and line and length.” The former cricketer also said that he would live to see a bit of consistency from the left-arm bowler for he felt the latter has the ability to produce an unplayable delivery just after bowling a bad ball.

“But he’s that sort of bowler who’s a bit of an enigma. He bowls some bad balls and then he’ll bowl you a cracking delivery. I’d just love to see him a bit more consistent with the new ball,” Mark, brother of Australia’s famous captain Steve, said.

The 53-year-old, however, believed that the wicket at the Perth Stadium where the second Test will begin on Friday will suit Starc for he would extract a lot of bounce. He also cautioned that the pacer could see himself getting dropped for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne if he fails to make a comeback in Perth.

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