Australia vs Sri Lanka Test series: Mitchell Starc backed to return to best

Mitchell Starc is close to recapturing his best form despite attracting a pack of critics during a lacklustre summer, teammate Pat Cummins and former quick Ryan Harris say.

The pair have this week defended the under-fire fast bowler who has taken just 15 wickets at 36.46 in five Tests this summer.

Starc hasn’t lost his pace, regularly reaching the 150km/h mark, although he has certainly lost his line at times which has created Tim Paine a headache behind the stumps.

But Cummins said Starc doesn’t need to pay attention to any armchair critics, as he already knows how to get back to his best – something which he believes isn’t far away.

“Starcy feels as if he’s not too far away. He’s had a tough game or two but he’s bowling seriously fast out there,” Cummins told RSN Sport 927’s Summer Breakfast.

“I feel like a couple of things haven’t gone his way – a couple LBs (LBW decisions) overturned and things like that. I reckon once he gets one or two he’ll be away.

“We talk about bowling partnerships and bowling as a group and I think having someone like him to come on and bowl 150km/h … we’ve all got different roles and I think he’s bowling his role really well.”

Harris expressed similar sentiments on Tuesday, saying Starc is “really close” to recapturing the form that made him Australia’s opening bowler.

Courtesy : Srilankasports.com