MELBOURNE: Australia pacer Mitchell Starc has urged conservatives to prepare bowler-friendly pitches for the Ashes, warning against flattening surfaces to maximize revenue over five days as England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach looms.
Australia beat India 3-1 last summer at home on pitches that encouraged batting and bowling, and Starc said he hoped that would continue in the five-Test series against England.
“I hope the groundskeepers stick to their positions and prepare the wickets they want,” Starc told Australian media.
“If we worry about five days of revenue, then bigger problems await us.”
Left-armer Starc claimed four wickets for New South Wales on a lukewarm pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday in the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria.
Although encouraged by his bowling in his first first-class match since July, Starc said the wicket would have played straight into the hands of England’s batters.
“Yeah, definitely. Especially if it’s fairly tame wickets like this one,” he said.
“We know how they try to play cricket. We will worry about that next week.”
Starc, who recently left T20I cricket to extend his Test career, said his pace bowling was back after a long absence from red-ball cricket and he was preparing well for the Ashes series opener in Perth from November 21.
“I think the break was a good thing, but I just tend to be someone who keeps the momentum going,” the 35-year-old said.
“I’ve just spoken to (head coach) Ronnie (Andrew McDonald), I think I’ve sorted it out and now it’s just a matter of getting the engine running again.”
