'Always been a bit of a thorn in our side'- Mitchell Starc on Ravichandran Ashwin

Australia star pacer Mitchell Starc shared his experience of playing against Ravichandran Ashwin and paid a beautiful tribute during an interview. The three-time World Champion also talked about his working relationship with Australian great Nathan Lyon.

Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement during the post-match press conference in Brisbane. He arrived at his hometown in Chennai a day after announcing his retirement. Though this is the end of an incredible career in International cricket there are still a lot of players and legends paying tribute to the 38-year-old off-spinner, one of them being the Australian strike bowler Mitchell Starc, who also had a lot to say about the Indian spinner.

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“He (Ashwin) has always been a bit of a thorn in our side over in India and played a part in series here in Australia. It's been a fantastic career and I'm sure it will be celebrated that way, His numbers speak for themselves. He's been an incredible bowler for India for a long time, over 500 wickets." said Starc to SEN radio.

Starc also talked about Ashwin’s working relationship with Nathan Lyon who has been equally impressive in International cricket for Australia and has taken 537 wickets in Test Cricket.

“He (Ashwin) has got a close working relationship with Nathan (Lyon) and that mutual respect between teams and for someone of his calibre - congratulations on his career. It's been a fantastic career and I'm sure it will be celebrated that way," added Starc.

Speaking of Ashwin’s record against Australia in Test Cricket, the off-spinner has played 23 matches against Australia and has taken 115 wickets against them with seven five-wicket hauls to his name as well. He also had great numbers the last time the two sides played the series down under where he took 12 wickets in the 3 matches he played against the Aussies.