The Ashes 2013: Mitchell Starc aiming for consistency to cement spot

Mitchell Starc has been an important bowler for Australia, mostly with the old-ball. He returned to Australia’s Test squad in the month of November for the home series against South Africa.

He constantly troubled the Proteas batsmen with his extreme pace and bounce, particularly at WACA, Perth. Since then, Mitchell Starc has been alternated by Australia as they wanted him for long-term prospects. Also, Australia have used him depending on the conditions and the nature of wickets.

He played at Trent Bridge, left out at Lord’s and then returned to the squad at Old Trafford and was not considered for the fourth Test at Durham. So, one just gets the feeling that Starc will be playing the final Test at Oval, but Clarke said the final decision would be made before the toss.

“It would be nice to get a few games back-to-back and get that rhythm,” Starc said after Australia’s tour match in Northampton against the England Lions. “To have a chance at that consistency that everyone talks about [would be good] – ‘you’ve got to be more consistent,’ – well it’s a bit hard when you play one game and you’re dropped.”

“For me it’s making the most of that new ball,” Starc said. “I’m pretty happy with where my reverse swing bowling is and how much I am getting the ball to swing but I guess [my goal is] doing more damage with the new ball and being more consistent when the ball isn’t doing anything at all. I know where I need to get better and it’s just a matter of doing it.”

He may be recalled for the final Test as the wicket at The Oval provides both pace and bounce. He can get the ball to reverse at The Oval, and therefore, could be a handy customer with the ball for Australia.

“I was very happy with how it came out,” Starc said. “What we’ve spoken about over the last few weeks about where we want to bowl and plans and that sort of thing, [I was] happy with how we practiced those with James [Faulkner] and I especially.”