Australia should contemplate dropping Mitchell Starc if he’s not up to scratch in Perth: Mark Waugh

Waugh, who stepped down as chief T20 selector at the end of August, said Starc has not been at his peak for a while.

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc. @ Twitter

Mitchell Starc, who has been leading the pace attack for Australia, has come under criticism following India’s historic win at Adelaide. Despite picking five wickets, Starc, who has struggled with injury and poor, has lacked energy and discipline in his line with many deliveries drifting on to the leg side for byes.

Former Australia batsman Mark Waugh feels that if Starc does not perform up to expectations in the next Test of the 2018-19 Border Gavaskar Trophy which begins on Friday at the new Optus Stadium in Perth, then the Australian team management will have to rethink their bowling attack, minus the southpaw for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

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“If he’s probably not up to scratch in Perth I think they might think about making some changes for the rest of the series,” Waugh told Big Sports Breakfast on Wednesday.

Waugh, who stepped down as chief T20 selector at the end of August, said Starc has not been at his peak for a while. “He hasn’t bowled at his best probably the last 12 months,” he said.

“He’s just been a little bit off with his consistency and line and length. 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 be a bit more consistent with the new ball.”

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Waugh said the Perth wicket will assist pace and bounce. “Perth’s really going to suit him. He’s going to bowl quick there and get a lot of bounce,” he said.