DROPPING STARC THE RIGHT CALL

England’s paltry run rate of 2.64 at the end of Day 1 can be most rational explanation for the exclusion of Mitchell Starc in the fourth test. 

It is the 3^rd time in his brief career Starc has been left out after performing admirably. Last year he was ‘rested’ in Boxing Day test after bowling Australia to victory over Sri Lanka only few days earlier. Then once again Starc failed to hold his place in the 2^nd Test at Lords despite his match figures of 5/135 which were more impressive than James Pattinson.

The statistic that tilted the scales towards Bird over Starc is the economy rate of the left arm paceman. Apart from Pattinson, Starc is the only bowler in squad to have an economy rate of above 3 runs an over.  In comparison Siddle’s is 2.97, Harris is 2.80 and Bird is 2.82.

On most occasions due to the nature of the modern wickets and expansion of T20 cricket, the generic feeling is if the bowler can restrict the batsmen from scoring he will eventually perish.  Same theory has existed since the cricket was played but gone are the days cricket produces a Boycott or Gavaskar.  Instead cricket about containment and restricting the flow of runs.

Mitchell Starc is a victim of the run saving mentality. Michael Clarke and his think tank believe Starc struggles to keep batsmen in check.  Cricket is all about sizing the control of the match and while Starc is as likely as any other bowler to provide that chance, he is also most likely to release the pressure.

In the two Ashes tests Starc has played he has conceded 32 boundaries. Considering he only bowled two over’s in the rain interrupted last innings at Manchester, 32 boundaries is 3 innings is cardinal sin.

James Pattinson conceded 41 in his four outings, Siddle had conceded 43 until the start of the fourth test, but majority of them have come from thickish outside edges rather than poor balls. Ryan Harris in the two tests thus far had only conceded 24, a perfect balance of economy rate and strike rate.

At the end of Day 1, it was the relentless pressure of Bird, Siddle and Harris that eventually caused England to implode to Nathan Lyon. Perhaps had Starc played on a track that looked placid at the end of Day 1, the English batsmen may not have treated Lyon with such contempt, hence making Lyon less of a threat.

Starc is a prodigious talent but until he learns to meet the modern day Test match ideology it is likely he will face such heart breaks once again.