New South Wales pacer Mitchell Starc Friday refused to be compared to his Australian compatriot Mitchell Johnson, saying he has not modelled his bowling action on anyone.
Published: Sep 30, 2011, 04:59 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 30, 2011, 04:59 PM (IST)
Mitchell Starc said he is not disappointed after missing a place in Australia squad for South Africa tour © Getty Images
Chennai: Sep 30, 2011
New South Wales pacer Mitchell Starc Friday refused to be compared to his Australian compatriot Mitchell Johnson, saying he has not modelled his bowling action on anyone.
“No, I haven’t modelled myself on Mitch. Though in the past couple of years I’ve been compared with him,” said Starc at a press conference here.
“I’ve spoken a fair bit to him and have had an opportunity to play with him during the tour of India last year (Starc was part of the Australian squad that played three ODIs in India in October last year). To have been able to bowl in India was a big plus for me,” he added.
Starc said he was not upset at missing out on a place in the Australia squad, which is scheduled to tour South Africa next month.
“I’ve not really been disappointed, I didn’t really expect a call. But it’s a good news for Pat Cummins and James Pattionson. I’ve returned to cricket after eight months off due to injury. I am only 21, so there’s a lot of time and hopefully, I can fight my way back into the side,” he said.
Starc was overlooked for the tour of South Africa but his NSW teammate and fellow pacer Pat Cummins got a call.
Meanwhile, the Australian, who is currently representing NSW in the Champions League T20 tournament here, said playing in the subcontinent is quite different from playing at home.
“The difference has been the heat here. And also back home, the wickets have a bit more pace and bounce,” he said.
Asked if he have had any exchange of ideas with Doug Bollinger, who also represents NSW in the Australian domestic circuit but is playing for Chennai Super Kings in this tournament, Starc said, “Yeah, we’ve had some interactions. He is staying over here but playing for Chennai in this competition, so we’re ready to go against him.”
Starc agreed that it was a conscious effort to deliver bouncers against Trinidad and Tobago in their last game on an unresponsive pitch.
“It’s just some of the players that you come up against. The bouncer can be a very good ball to bowl. It’s a good attacking ball for us sometimes,” said Starc. (PTI)
