Mitchell Starc is Craig McDermot's pick to become Australia's No.1 bowler across all formats

Mitchell Starc and Craig McDermott during the latter’s coaching days with Australia

Former Australian fast bowler Craig McDermott heaped praises on Mitchell Starc after the latter made a stunning comeback in the Test series against Sri Lanka picking 24 wickets in 3 matches. Though Australia was steamrolled by the hosts 3-0 in the series, Mitchell Starc was the only bright spot in an otherwise disappointing tour. Starc’s 24 wickets are the most by an Australian in a 3 match Test series eclipsing the likes of Dennis Lillee and Mitchell Johnson.

McDermott felt Starc was at his best in the last 2 years and was instrumental in Australia winning the 2015 World Cup. He was literally unplayable throughout the tournament finishing with 22 wickets at an astonishing average of 10.18 per wicket. His lethal inswinging yorkers made life difficult for opposition batsmen. His best performance in the tournament came against neighbours New Zealand in a low-scoring thriller.

Since his heroics in the 2015 World Cup, Starc has come a long way in becoming the leader of Australia’s bowling attack across all formats.

Apart from his bowling prowess Starc is a brilliant fielder that makes McDermott feel that he is a complete package across all formats. In a recent media interaction, the former fast bowler said, “I think Starc has come a long way in the last 18 months to two years. The Ashes before that his red-ball bowling wasn’t up to scratch but he his red-ball bowling is right up there now.”

“He’s the best one-day bowler and T20 bowler in the world. He’s a complete package and can smack the ball and is a great fielder. He’d have to be the No.1 pick in our team for all three forms going forward,” added McDermott.

With the 5 match ODI series round the corner, the onus will be on Starc to replicate his performances from the Test series. Though Australia lost the Test series badly, it won’t be a surprise if they bounce back strongly in the ODI series.

While Starc was a bit wayward in the Ashes series which Australia lost 2-3, he eventually finished with 18 wickets in the series, just three behind English paceman Stuart Broad. Though Starc played the Ashes and the early part of the summer with an injury it didn’t deter him from becoming the spearhead of the attack.

Ever since the retirement of his mentor Mitchell Johnson, the onus has been on Starc to provide the much-needed breakthroughs. While Johnson wasn’t too successful in subcontinental conditions, his successor has already been lethal even in pitches which have not been conducive for fast bowling.