From Mitchell Starc’s baggy green debut against the Kiwis at the Gabba in 2011, Australia has played 67 Tests.
But due to the spate of injuries that have hit the Australian pace attack over the period, Starc has only played 39 of them.
If he had the same strike rate in the Tests he’s missed, Starc would be equal seventh among the Australian career wicket-takers alongside offie teammate Nathan Lyon with 243 Test scalps behind Shane Warne’s 700, Glenn McGrath’s 563, Dennis Lillee’s 355, Mitchell Johnson’s 313, Brett Lee’s 310 and Craig McDermott’s 291.
But as we all know, ‘if’ doesn’t win anything, so Starc has to be content with 167 Test wickets.
Right up there among those he’s missed are the MCG Boxing Day Tests, ranked the best every year by the Australian cricketers with the home of cricket Lord’s Test against England as the next best.
Had Starc always been fit he would have played seven MCG Tests, and enjoyed the mass crowds creating an unforgettable atmosphere.
But he’s been so heavily hit by injuries he’s missed five, and could well miss this one as well with a bruised heel.
Starc obviously wants to play, but the selectors will have the final say with the Ashes already won, and a four-Test series in South Africa scheduled throughout March in Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, and Johannesburg.
It’s a vital series with the South Africans ranked two in the world, and Australia soon to be fourth.
The turnover of Australian pacemen is clearly shown in the five Tests Starc has missed.
(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
In chronological order, the 2011 MCG Test against India was won by Australia by 122 runs.
The pace attack was James Pattinson with match figures of 6-118, Ben Hilfenhaus (7-114), and Peter Siddle’s 6-105.
The 2012 Test against Sri Lanka was won by Australia by an innings and 201.
The pace attack was Mitchell Johnson (6-79), Jackson Bird (4-61), Siddle (3-62), and Shane Watson’s 0-3.
The 2013 Test against England was won by Australia by eight wickets.
The pacemen – Ryan Harris (2-81), Johnson (8-88), Siddle (2-96), and Watson 1-24.
In 2014, it was a draw against India.
The quicks – Johnson (6-173), Harris (6-100), Josh Hazlewood (2-115), and Watson (1-79).
In 2015, Australia thumped the Windies by an innings and 177 runs.
The pacemen – Hazlewood (0-89), Pattinson (6-121), Siddle (3-75), and Mitchell Marsh (4-76).
At long last Starc made his Boxing Day debut against Pakistan last year, and it was memorable with Australia winning by an innings and 18.
Starc had match figures of 5-161, Hazlewood (5-89), and Bird (4-159).
The Australians teed off with 8 (dec) for 624 – David Warner 144, Usman Khawaja 97, Steve Smith 165*, Paul Handscomb 54, and Starc a lightning 84 off just 91 with three fours, and seven sixes.
The big bloke can sure hit, and he’d dearly love to be on deck again on Tuesday.
Jackson Bird is standing by as the replacement.
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