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'Fantastic exponents...': Starc Unraveled New Weapon in His Best Ever Ashes Series

image-lk0v09biMitchell Starc [AP]

After the defeat of Australia by a three-wicket win at Headingley, where England turned up and kept the Ashes alive, the Australia team is heading towards the fourth match at Old Trafford to make it even against their arch-rivals. Despite losing the last Ashes 2023 Test, the visitors have been a tremendous challenge for the Three Lions, and one of the prime reasons for it has been the revival of Mitchell Starc in Test cricket.

In an interview with an Australian publication, the Australia speedster expressed his bonds with his mates Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, and how they have unlocked a new secret weapon within him.

Starc, who used to be last on Australia's pecking order among seamers, has been a revelation for the Cummins-led unit in the ongoing Ashes. Thus far in the series, he has taken 13 wickets at 23.38 in the two matches after he was overlooked for the first Test following a disappointing World Test Championship final against India. 

The southpaw's  wicket-taking style has always been praised and it seems like he is building himself better for the coming matches. However, he expressed how having a different mindset helped him lift his performance from the 2019 series, where he was limited to only one appearance.

The left-armer has credited the usage of wobble-seam delivery for his success on this tour. Starc thanked his bowling colleagues - Cummins and Hazlewood - for helping him add the new tool in his arsenal.

“I’ve finally listened to Pat and Josh, I guess. They’re two fantastic exponents of the wobble seam or whatever you want to call it." 

"Having spoken to them over the last few years and being able to add that string to my bow is something that’s helped develop my bowling, and not just be someone who can only swing it or bowl fast."

"I’ve now got another option to try to beat the bat both ways, or like (Headingley) it can be a wicket-taking ball depending on who I’m bowling to, or where I’m bowling as well."

Prior to the ongoing tour of the UK, the southpaw had played nine matches on English soil to snare 33 wickets at a strike rate of 54.60, averaging 31.27 per dismissal. However, the usage of wobble seam delivery has not only bettered Starc's statistics but has been a headache for the hosts.