Australia and England played out an even day of Ashes cricket at the SCG yesterday but it was the sight of Australian quick Mitchell Starc hobbling around the field which left the strongest imprint on me.
In the 44th over at the SCG yesterday, Starc bowled consecutive deliveries at just 125kmh.
Rarely does Starc’s pace dip as low as 135kmh – even his warm-up balls typically are in the low 140s.
So it was extraordinary to see Test cricket’s fastest bowler operating at the same gentle speeds in the mid-120s reached by the likes of David Warner and wicketkeeper-cum-medium-pacer Matthew Wade.
Starc was still striding towards the crease fairly fluidly, it was after that his intensity dissipated. The left armer was half-hearted in his delivery stride, seemingly concerned about his bruised heel, which kept him out of the fourth Test.
As a result he was not accelerating through the crease and appeared to be relying on his left shoulder for power rather than generating it from the synergy of his entire frame.
Such imbalance in an action cannot be good for your body, surely increasing the strain on certain muscles or joints.
I winced as I watched him labour through the day. It would not have surprised me if he had suddenly broken down with a fresh injury. By day’s end there were no reports of any new concerns about Starc’s health.
It was clear, though, that his heel was not in good shape as he repeatedly stopped short in his follow through and screwed up his face in apparent discomfort.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
This was a gobsmacking scene, to watch one of the world’s most valuable cricketers bowling through a debilitating injury for no good reason. The Ashes were already secured.
The difference is minimal between winning the series 4-0 or 3-1 and Australia had no shortage of bowlers to play in place of Starc.
It always seemed like a risk to rush him back for this fifth Test and now it’s been exposed as a thoroughly unwise decision. No doubt the paceman wanted to play in this match in front of his home crowd. He had voiced his disappointment about missing the Boxing Day Test and his keenness to return for the final match.
Surely, though, when you’re playing a dead rubber you should exercise extreme caution with your most irreplaceable bowler. At the MCG we got an insight into the value of Starc. Without him, Australia’s attack looked a weak imitation of its former supreme self.
Why, oh why then would you gamble on his fitness in a largely meaningless Test? In AFL terms, it’s akin to Richmond risking Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin in a pre-season game when he’s got a dodgy hamstring.
Australia’s next Test tour, which starts next month, is a blockbuster affair against the strongest line-up in Test cricket.
Australia will travel to South Africa to face one of the greatest pace units ever assembled – Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel. Not to mention the fact the Proteas also boast five world-class Test batsmen in AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, Quentin de Kock and Dean Elgar.
It is a monumental challenge for Australia. Regardless of their great record in South Africa, they will enter that series as major underdogs.
If they’re missing Starc, forget about it. Which is why it was so insane to see Starc hobbling around the SCG yesterday risking his health in a dead rubber Test.
Don Freo
Guest
Wrong word, John. You say 'excuse', I say, 'explanation'. It is what happened.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Ah Don... You must be the King of "would have, could have" excuses. Loving them, especially- "But every time Starc was going to decimate England, the rain intervened..." That's hilarious. Excellent work. I enjoyed the laugh. The limited scope of stats seems far more accurate and objective than your memory. Science has shown our memories to be creative. Your especially so, it appears.
AndyFNQ
Guest
completely agree!
Ozibatla
Guest
Agreed Crane was steady at best but the pitch played pretty true. Lyon only took 1 wicket on the same pitch it must be noted. Whilst Lyon is a good offspinner I really cant help but think that England have played right into his hands. I mean look at the way Curran played him and this guys a number 8 in his 2nd test match...
Don Freo
Guest
But every time Starc was going to decimate England, the rain intervened and he didn't get a chance to bowl in as many innings as the Saffers did. Those stats...so limited in their scope!
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Bunney I think Crane has not bowled badly but the outcome is exactly what I expected - he's taken 0-58, never looked like getting a wicket and will probably finish the match with a Test average of 80+ He was never a real option to play in this series while it was alive. The Aussies treated Crane today just like they've treated Moeen in his past 8-9 Tests against them - they milked him, just knocking him around safe in the knowledge they could score at 3.5rpo against him with absolutely zero risk. Really going after him would probably bring him into the game, as it would if they really went after Moeen. It makes more sense to go after a spinner if the opposition only has 4 bowlers, because then it puts strain on the other 3. But when a team has 5 bowlers like England it's a much less effective strategy so it's wiser to just milk the spinners for 3.5rpo and give then no wickets. Let's not forget, the greatest leg spinner of all time Shane Warne had not even played State cricket yet when he was the same age as Crane, and when he debuted in Tests at two years older than Crane he struggled badly.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Yes there have been some series against lesser sides but performances in other series shouldn't be dismissed with such contempt. Rabada took 15 wickets at 22.40 out here last summer and 16 wickets at 28.44 from 3 tests in the series in England. Surpassed what Starc did In England (18 wickets at 30 from 5 tests) and home against Sth Africa (14 wickets at 30). The South African attack is full of quality.
DavSA
Guest
The great Shane Warne publicly stated that in his career the toughest challenge was not England and the Ashes , it was playing South Africa. If indeed Mitch Starc was played with a recurring injury it would be senseless . The upcoming series against The Proteas promises much and I am certain a cricketer the caliber of Starc will want to be part of the challenge .
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Yeah. No conflict of interest in asking the players. It would be like Joe Root asking Stuart Broad if the not out decision is wrong and should be reviewed.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Talk today is that Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins are very keen as a fast bowling unit to not only play every test match but every game of all three formats. Sorry, but that is just plain silly.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
The author is probably technically correct. There was no shortage of bowlers, just a shortage of good ones. Or the selectors got it terribly wrong.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Ronan, An unrelated question for you: what have you made of Crane so far? You thought he'd get torn apart if selected. I have seen some evidence of this - he has bowled some serious pies today - but overall, I think he's gone ok. The balls he's landed in the right areas have asked some serious questions. He's been a tad unlucky to not take a wicket yet. A bit like (esp. early) Starc methinks - can bowl some junk and then a couple of wicket-taking pearls. If I'm England, he's in the team long term.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
That's a fatuous question Don. Yes, stats can be misleading, but within the stats Ronan trotted out for Philander was the series against us in Aus last year where he took 12 wickets @ 23.6, and next to Morkel's stats he points out that Morkel was man-of-the-series against England in England. Both of these facts, one of which was provided to you, and the other, which I'm certain you knew, indicate quality.
Don Freo
Guest
Dennis Lillee is a picture of fitness. No hobbling around for DK.
not so super
Guest
Australian over valuing England once again and not paying SA enough respect
Liam
Guest
I've a question for you. Have you seen Ron Barrassi walking these days? Can Jeff Thompson lift his wrist above his shoulder? Ditto Dennis Lillee? Playing through injury is celebrated because it's seemingly the triumph of will and duty over pain, but it also results in longlasting consequences to people, leading to debilitating and failing bodies later in life. It's all very well for you to assume such risks for them, but I for one would prefer that Starc is capable of walking later in life, no?
13th Man
Guest
A duck for Bancroft doesn't help his cause sadly but I still don't see any other options as opener. Renshaw is still out of form, the likes of Weatherald and Harris are unknown quantities. Going back to Joe Burns may be the best option or promoting S Marsh to the top of the order.
Bakkies
Guest
Apparently it was cramp which Lyon had too.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
No one obvious? Couple of options there. Shaun Marsh could easily go to the top. Maxwell in. Or Joe Burns could go. He covers any position in the batting order and also in form.
Bakkies
Guest
There are back ups by their are either injured or playing Baseball. Neither is suitable preparation for bowling 30 overs in a test.