Mitchell Starc celebrates a wicket in the second Test vs Pakistan© AFP
Australia pacer Mitchell Starc on Monday said the abrasive nature of the Karachi pitch helped him and Pat Cummins achieve a lot of reverse swing as the visitors bowled out Pakistan for 148 in the second Test. Talking to the media, when asked why the Australian bowlers did not get much reverse swing in the first Test in Rawalpindi, Starc said that he did not expect the Karachi pitch to deteriorate so quickly.
“The track is very abrasive and the foot of the wicket will also encourage the spinners in the next two days. I think there are more cracks on this abrasive wicket and it has played a big part in getting us reverse swing.
“Another factor is that the square and practice wickets here are also drier and clay in origin and the weather is also hotter and more drier than in Pindi, which has helped us reverse the ball from both sides.” Starc also said that before coming to Pakistan for their first Test tour in 24 years, Australia had done their homework and had some in-depth discussions and went through all the scenarios they were expected to face here.
“We only spent a whole day bowling reverse swing before taking off here in Melbourne because most of the Ashes series we had the new and tough ball and didn’t get many chances to reverse the ball.” The Australian legend said that he would give full credit to the Australian batsmen for scoring big and taking his team to the box seat in the next two days.
He also said that Captain Cummins had not discussed anything with him before deciding not to implement the follow on Monday.
“I think maybe because of the position we found ourselves in, we had a lot of scenarios in front of us and mainly we didn’t want to bat last on this pitch.” Asked when was the last time he saw the ball reverse in Karachi, Starc said it happened twice, probably in the series against India.
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Responding to a question, with Starc taking three wickets and missing a hat-trick, he said: “We are looking to improve our record in the sub-continent and away series and as a group we had a lot of discussion and lead. I had a thorough discussion on how to do this till this series and even after the Pindi Test.”
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