Mitchell Starc (Source: AFP Photos)
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc wants fiery playing surfaces in the upcoming five-match Ashes Test series against England. The legendary paceman has urged the groundsmen to make similar wickets this summer like they did against the visiting Indian team last year.
Starc recently sent out a stern warning to the English team by picking up a four-wicket haul on a batting-friendly Sheffield Shield surface against Victoria in Sydney, on his first-class return no less.
Mitchell Starc demands for spice in Ashes showdown
While speaking with the reporters in Australia, Mitchell Starc has urged the groundsmen to prepare the wickets “they want” for the upcoming Ashes series at home, without worrying about “five days of revenue”. He said:
“I hope the groundsmen stick to their guns and prepare the wickets they want. If we are worried about five days of revenue then there's bigger problems at hand.”
Mitchell Starc also made his return to first-class cricket after a gap of four months by going up against Victoria in match number 10 of the 2025-26 Sheffield Shield season. Bowling alongside national teammates Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon for the New South Wales, the legendary fast bowler picked up four wickets on Day 1 from 19 overs. He also picked one with the new ball in the second Victorian innings of the match.
Reflecting his break from red-ball cricket and his return to the same just ahead of the 2025-26 Ashes Test series, Mitchell Starc said:
“I think the break was a good thing, but I just tend to be someone who continuous bowling keeps in rhythm. 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.”
In the absence of captain and pace spearhead Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc is all set to helm the Australian bowling attack in the series-opener against England in Perth. The match will be played between November 21 and November 25.
