Mitchell Starc vows to not change his game ahead of Ashes 2023

Australia pacer, Mitchell Starc said that he is not going to change his game plan in order to fit in the playing XI in the upcoming Ashes series against England. Starc feels like compromising on his skills which makes the Australian bowling attack one-dimensional. After taking on India in the Test Championship Final from June 7 to June 11, Australia will be looking to retain the Ashes urn in a series starting from June 16th.

During the 2019 Ashes, Starc was out of the playing XI in the first three Tests as then-head coach Justin Langer said that Josh Hazlewood was a better option to control the flow of runs. The 33-year-old said that he understands if match-ups or conditions keep him out of the game, but refused to change his approach to get into the playing XI.

“I have learned not to change my game to suit fitting into a team. If I’m not in the XI because of conditions or match-ups, that’s fine, but I possess a skill set which complements our entire attack. I’m never going to bowl like Scott or Josh or Pat. Why do I need to change the way I go about things to be like them to fit into an XI?” Starc said as quoted by Sportskeeda.

“If that means I’m not in the XI at certain stages, that’s fine, but I think that’s one thing I learned from the past. Because I wasn’t in the XI, I tried to be this economical bowler who can hit a spot. That’s not me. Sure I went for a few more runs, but my strike rate was lower or I bowled a different length,” he further added.

‘I’ve come to not get so frustrated about it’ – Starc

Starc also feels that Australia missed an opportunity to win Ashes in England four years ago. He added that victory in England this year would be fitting for the veteran players. However, Australia registered dominating victory over the Three Lions down under by 4-0 in 2021-22 Ashes.

“I’ve come to not get so frustrated about it. Sure, you want to play every game, but I do more harm trying to fit in than when I stick to my strengths. To retain the Ashes was quite special … but you want to win it. We’re all getting to the back end. Pat is the youngest. We’ve all been together for a number of years. If it’s the last time us older guys are together, it’d be a hell of a way to finish playing cricket in England,” Starc said.