Wayward Starc under spotlight as rookie ramps up selection pressure
A quality debut from Jhye Richardson has Australian quick Mitchell Starc looking over his shoulder with only one Test to go before the Ashes series opener against England in August.
But Australian captain Tim Paine insists Starc is on the verge of returning to his destructive ways after the left-armer endured a difficult few days at the Gabba during Australia's emphatic win over Sri Lanka.
Thrown in ahead of Peter Siddle, Richardson was dynamic in the first innings and the perfect foil to a rampant Pat Cummins in the second as Australia steamrolled the tourists.
After reaching 200 Test wickets in the first innings, where he collected 2-41, Starc was wayward in the second, spraying balls down the leg side and unable to put any sustained pressure on the touring batting line-up, which was reduced to rubble by the brilliant Cummins.
Starc ended with 0-57 on Saturday, while Cummins compiled career-best figures of 6-23 and Richardson had 2-19.
With Josh Hazlewood still out injured, Australia will field the same rotation of quicks at Manuka Oval and Paine doesn't believe there is any reason to panic in terms of Starc's form.
"We always know what we are going to get with Starcy," Paine said. "Sometimes he can be a little bit erratic, but when he’s on, he’s literally the best in the world. What we’ve got with those two [Cummins and Richardson] and Nathan [Lyon] is the ability to build up pressure over a long period of time and release Starc in really short spells.
"We’re pretty confident that his best isn’t too far away. While those three are bowling like that, it allows us to use him slightly differently."
Paine said Starc knew he wasn't quite at the peak of his powers and was working overtime to try and get back on track ahead of the Ashes start at Edgbaston.
"He’s going OK, he’s working really hard," Paine said. "He knows he’s not at his best and he’s working hard to get that. Test cricket is hard. He’s been really good for a long period time.
"Everyone at any level of cricket goes through times where it doesn’t go your way and it’s a bit harder than what it has been. He’s probably going through that at the moment.
"He’s one wicket, one spell away from being devastating again. We’re hoping that’s really close."
There is little doubt Starc will be on the plane to England given his record and service, but where he fits into the picture will likely be determined by conditions with Richardson now right in the frame to be given a chance with his swing bowling for the first Test.
Starc had 13 wickets at 34.5 against India over four Tests and would have loved a bag at the Gabba to get some swagger back before the tour of England. Now he must prove to selectors he is among the top trio of quicks with the injured Josh Hazlewood to be one of the certainties alongside Cummins.
It was against moderate opposition on an excellent fast-bowling track, but it was difficult not to be impressed by Richardson's debut. He adds a different dimension to the Australian attack and good judges believe he would be a perfect fit with the Dukes ball in England.
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has already declared Richardson a certain starter for Australia at Edgbaston. Starc may well be the man to make way as Justin Langer and the selectors try to find the best side to upset the English on home soil.