NEWS
Follow UsIn Melbourne, Mitchell Starc showed signs of discomfort while bowling but still carried on to push Australia to victory. With Josh Hazlewood not being there for the last Test, not having Starc would be tragic for the hosts. However, wicket-keeper Alex Carey feels Starc will definitely be there for the Sydney Test.
"He'll be fine. He'll push through," Alex Carey said. "I've played with Starcy for a long time now, and [he's] one of the toughest cricketers I've played with. He'll grimace, he'll grab his rib no doubt, but he'll be ready for the contest."
"I thought the first spell [in the second innings] without the reward was some of the best bowling I've seen this series from him," Carey said. "He's a quality player and has been for a long time. He's got an opportunity now to help this team in a Test match. He'll be up for the contest, and I think his bowling's just gotten better throughout the series."
Sydney hasn’t been Starc’s favourite venue over the years. He averages 44.16 at the venue in nine matches, scalping just 24 wickets. Sean Abbott is there in the reserves, but with Mitchell Marsh not bowling much, Starc’s presence becomes crucial. Carey further backed Marsh to come good in Sydney.
"Whenever we have put someone in the spotlight, the true Aussie way is to show them how good we are," Carey said. "So I think it is Mitch's time."
Australia unearthed a fearless opener in the form of Sam Konstas as the teenager ramped and scooped Jasprit Bumrah audaciously to leave everyone spellbound. Carey couldn’t have heaped more praise on the youngster.
"I was a spectator that first session. I probably had the emotions of the 90,000 that were there. At times I couldn't watch it, at times I was cheering. But just the energy he brought, it was something different. I probably wasn't expecting that amount of difference, but he played a style of cricket that was probably new to India as well.
"We'll wait and see how we plays out here. I don't think that's his blueprint for every Test match, but to be able to throw a few punches early and get a bit of momentum for us, which the opening partnership was probably just lacking that intensity.
"I thought Nathan [McSweeney] and Usman [Khawaja] got us through tough situations as well by facing lots of balls. Sam was able to score a little bit, so hopefully, another opportunity in front of his home fans," the wicket-keeper added.
