Taking the Ashes opener snub in his stride, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc mentioned he’s used to being “dropped the most in this squad” however he promised to stay battle-ready if he’s picked for the second Test.
Left-arm pacer Starc was not a part of the primary Test in opposition to England, which the guests received by two wickets.
“I’m used to it now coming to England. It’s a squad mentality, much the same as last time,” Starc advised reporters about his non-selection for the opening Test at Edgbaston.
“I have been around long enough, been dropped enough. Probably been dropped the most in this squad so it is not something new for me. It probably won’t be the last time either.” The second Test will start on the Lord’s on Thursday.
“In terms of the team, I haven’t got any indication either way (about selection for Lord’s). Your guess is as good as mine until the selectors decide.
“I have different skills that fit into this bowling group so if and when I get a turn, I’ll be ready to go. If not this week, then I’ll get ready for Headingley.” Unfazed by England’s well-documented ultra-aggressive method, Starc mentioned Australia will stick with their weapons heading into the following 4 video games.
“They have brought an overly aggressive head space to Test cricket,” Starc mentioned.
“The way they are approaching it, there is going to be a reaction when you are either bowling or facing that. I think that is natural but we will stick to our guns and I am sure they will as well.
“Just because they are scoring at a higher rate or trying to score at a higher rate doesn’t mean you go to one-day cricket. There are plenty of ways to skin a cat as we saw last week in the way they approached it as opposed to the way we did.
“We’ve played enough against England in white-ball cricket to know they can all play that sort of thing. I have certainly seen Joe (Root) enough to know he can play those (ramp) shots.
“They are going to take the game on now in Test cricket as they have done for the last 12 months. That is their approach and we will stick to the way we want to approach our Test cricket.”
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com