Published: Jul 11, 2016, 04:33 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 11, 2016, 04:33 PM (IST)
Australia coach Darren Lehmann believes that Mitchell Starc can join the likes of Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson and join the 300 Test wicket club. However Lehmann states that it will depend on how he manages the workload of playing in all formats. Starc returned to international cricket after a long layoff during the tri-nation series in the Caribbean, featuring South Africa and West Indies as well. Starc will return to Test cricket during Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka. The first Test begins on July 26 at Pallekele and Starc is certain to start the match and lead the bowling unit. Full Cricket Scorecard: Sri Lanka vs Australia 2016, 1st Test at Pallekelle
“If he stays on the park, he could. He plays all formats – that is the hardest part for him, managing him through that is going to be our challenge as a coaching staff and selection panel, making sure high-priority Test tours, one-day tours, World Cups and all that, are going to be high on the agenda, and making sure he is fit and available for those,” Lehmann said, according to smh.com.au. READ: Mitchell Starc to learn tips from former Australian pacers for Sri Lanka tour
Lehmann hopes Starc can play a major part in dismantling the Sri Lankan batting, who are still finding their feet after the retirements of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara. Lehmann acknowledges Starc ability with the new and the old ball as well. He goes on to say that reverse swing can play a major part as well.
“He obviously has air speed, which is going to be important when the ball goes reverse. It’s important that we keep him fit and playing. We know how good he can be,” Lehmann said. It’s all up to him. His ability to knock over good batsmen and also knock over the tail quite quickly. For us, that is a really important thing when you are trying to get 20 wickets in a space of time.” READ: Glenn Maxwell happy with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood leading Australia’s bowling attack
Lehmann was given a break from travelling with the team to West Indies and is delighted to have the services of Starc back after the fast bowler underwent a surgery in December 2015. “Happy he got through. I spoke to him about it – he said he was a little bit rusty early but felt better as the tournament went on. It’s a good sign,” he said.
“He has had a big lay-off. For him to come back and then do what he did, as always, he gets wickets … for us it was a pretty good tick-the-box exercise where he got through and looking forward to the next phase of Test cricket,” he added.
Lehmann also spoke about the roles of the Australian spinners Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe. “I think they will attacking at times and holding at times, you can mix and match that. O’Keefe is probably more of a holding spinner if you like, stump to stump, very much like Herath, if you like. If he ends up with a record like Herath, he has done pretty well,” Lehmann said. READ: Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc as duo can replicate the success of Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee
“Lyon is more of a traditional off-spinner. He is working hard on his different speeds and variations. He is probably more of an attacking spinner for us. He bowls his best when he is actually bowling maidens as well. So it’s a catch-22. We have enough variety.
“Spin is going to be important, new ball is going to be important, and reverse swing is going to be important. That’s been the same way over there for a long time.”
