The Ashes series is slated to begin on November 21 in Perth.
Australia’s star pacer Mitchell Starc has urged curators to dish out bowler-friendly pitches in the upcoming Ashes series, warning against flattening surfaces to maximise five-day revenue as England’s “Bazball” challenge approaches Down Under.
Australia defeated India 3-1 in the last home summer on pitches that kept both batters and bowlers in the game, and Starc hoped the trend would continue in the five-Test series against England.
“I hope the groundsmen stick to their guns and prepare the wickets they want,” Starc told Australian media.
“If we are worried about five days of revenue then there’s bigger problems at hand,” he added.
The left-arm quick claimed a four-wicket haul for New South Wales on a tepid SCG pitch on Monday in the Sheffield Shield encounter against Victoria.
While he was pleased with his bowling, Starc admitted that the wicket would have played right into the England batters’ hands.
“Yeah no doubt. Especially if they’re pretty docile wickets like this. We know the way they’re trying to play their cricket. We’ll worry about that next week,” he remarked.
Starc said his bowling rhythm was back after a long layoff from red-ball cricket and he was building nicely for the Ashes opener in Perth, starting November 21.
“I think the break was a good thing, but I just tend to be someone who continuous bowling keeps in rhythm,” said the 35-year-old.
“I’ve just been speaking to (head coach) Ronnie (Andrew McDonald) then, I think I’ve sorted it out and now it’s just getting the engine going again,” he added.
(With Reuters Inputs)