Mitchell Starc expresses strong belief in Pat Cummins` unique ability to perform with minimal lead-up, even as uncertainty surrounds the Australian captain`s availability for the crucial first Ashes Test due to an ongoing back injury.
Cummins` Unique Preparedness and Optimism
Mitchell Starc asserts that Pat Cummins won`t need extensive preparation to feature in the opening Ashes Test in Perth. Starc highlighted that despite not yet being cleared to bowl six weeks out from the series, the Australian skipper maintains a positive outlook on his return.
Concerns have been growing regarding Cummins` participation in the first Ashes Test as he continues rehabilitation for a `hot spot` in his lower back, having not bowled since Australia`s last Test against West Indies in July. While Cricket Australia has not made definitive statements on his return or availability, the tight timeframe for him to build up sufficient bowling loads has become a major talking point.
Starc, who is making his own return to the Big Bash League (BBL) after an 11-year absence this season, emphasized Cummins` exceptional talent. He firmly believes Cummins possesses a rare ability to play a Test match with very limited lead-up time.
“Playing with Pat and being close with Pat, he doesn`t need much,” Starc remarked. “Whether he bowls three warm-up balls and the first over of the game, he`s on the money; he just knows when to switch on or how to switch on really quickly. His preparation approach will certainly differ from mine, and that comes with experience and age.”
He further elaborated, “Having spent so much time with Josh [Hazlewood], Pat, myself, and Scotty [Boland], we all prepare slightly differently. We all feel like we need different things. At times, I feel I need to bowl more in preparation, whether it`s during training or after layoffs.”
Starc himself has resumed bowling ahead of the One-Day International (ODI) series against India, following a prolonged pre-season since the Caribbean Test tour. Both Starc and Hazlewood are slated to play in New South Wales` fourth-round Sheffield Shield match against Victoria from November 10-13, as part of their preparation for the first Ashes Test, which is scheduled to commence on November 21 in Perth.
Starc confirmed he has been in contact with Cummins, though he has seen less of him since returning to NSW training as the captain focuses on his gym rehabilitation.
“He`s in good spirits,” Starc shared. “He`s ultra-positive as always, and there are still some weeks to go before we get to Perth for the Test prep. So we`ll see where that lands. Hopefully, we see a lot of him throughout the summer, and we`ll see where we get to in Perth.”
Leadership and Fast-Bowling Depth
Should Cummins be unavailable, the question of captaincy naturally arises. Starc suggested Steven Smith would be the logical choice, citing his extensive experience, having led Australia in 40 Test matches and deputised for Cummins in six over the past four years.
“We have a group of us who have played cricket with Steve as captain anyway,” Starc commented. “And then the times that he`s filled in over the last few seasons for Pat, whether for personal reasons, illness, or injury, it`s an easy transition for Steve. He`s obviously a very experienced cricket brain and thinks heavily about the game, and we have a team of experienced guys that can give their two cents` worth along the journey as well.”
Cummins` potential absence has also sparked discussions about Australia`s fast-bowling depth beyond the established quartet of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, and Boland.
Starc identified Michael Neser and Sean Abbott as two seasoned options. He also highlighted Jhye Richardson, a player who has previously represented Australia and took five wickets in an Ashes match during his most recent Test appearance.
“There`s been a little bit of noise around Jhye Richardson coming back from his shoulder as well,” Starc mentioned. “We know what skills he has. We`ve got a fairly talented group of 19-20-year-old bowlers, and then a lot of depth from there up to us that have played a lot of domestic cricket. I think the depth is there.”
Jhye Richardson`s Confident Return to Test Cricket
Speaking at a separate BBL event in Melbourne, Jhye Richardson expressed confidence in his ability to play Test cricket this summer if required. This optimism comes despite his ongoing bowling progression in the nets following shoulder surgery earlier this year.
“I think so,” Richardson stated. “My body`s really good. At this stage of the recovery, what we wanted was for everything else to be right, and the only limiting factor to be my shoulder, which is the case at the moment, which is really good. I`m bowling off a full run, just waiting for a bit of ball speed to come back, which I think is a pretty good position to be in this time of year, or what we were hoping for anyway.”
“There`s no specific timeline in place at the moment, but I think returning to some sort of competitive cricket, whether it`s club cricket or second XI [for Western Australia] sometime in November, would be a good start, and then build up from there, and then see where it takes us.”
Richardson revealed he is currently bowling at speeds in the low 120s (km/h) but anticipates an increase as his shoulder regains mobility and confidence. Having undergone similar processes after previous shoulder surgeries, he is familiar with the recovery path. He hopes to play in round five or six of the Sheffield Shield, with Western Australia`s matches scheduled for November 22 and December 4, respectively.
“But I don`t want to think too far ahead,” he concluded, focusing on his immediate recovery and progress.
