The final showdown between India and Australia in the three-match ODI series is set to take place in Rajkot on Wednesday, just ahead of the ODI World Cup’s warm-up games that commence on September 29. While India leads the series 2-0, Australia is determined to avoid a whitewash, and their strategy includes the return of their match-winner, Mitchell Starc, to the playing XI.
Starc, the express pace bowler, is poised to make a comeback to the Australian side for the third and final ODI against India. His absence from international cricket dates back to July, having last featured in the Ashes series. Groin soreness, which persisted from the Ashes, ruled him out of the South Africa tour. Starc arrived in India before the start of the ODI series but was carefully managed to ensure his full fitness for the World Cup.
Speaking about his recovery and potential return, Starc expressed optimism, saying, “It’s on track. Obviously, the priority is the World Cup, so if that means we have to be mindful of tomorrow, that’s one thing, but we’ll see how today goes, see how I pull up in the morning. The goal is to play tomorrow, but what that looks like depends on how today goes, the priority being the World Cup and not compromising that.”
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Starc’s imminent return brings a significant boost to Australia’s bowling attack, particularly in the pace department. In the first two ODIs against India, Australia struggled to generate the extra pace needed to trouble the Indian batsmen. With Starc’s inclusion, the team not only gains the valuable left-arm angle but also the potential for reverse swing.
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Rajkot, the venue for the third ODI, is known for its dry square, which can favor reverse swing as the game progresses. Mitchell Starc is renowned as one of the finest exponents of reverse swing in modern cricket. His ability to extract late movement and trouble the batsmen with pace variations makes him a potent weapon for Australia.
Australia’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup have faced challenges. After winning the first two matches in a five-game ODI series against South Africa, they suffered three consecutive losses, each by a margin of over 100 runs. Their fortunes didn’t change in the first two ODIs against India, where they faced defeats by 5 wickets and 99 runs (DLS method), respectively. This sequence has put them on a five-match losing streak.
As the third ODI approaches, Australia aims to turn the tide with the inclusion of Mitchell Starc. The left-arm pacer’s return not only bolsters their pace attack but also adds a dimension of unpredictability to their bowling strategy. With an eye on the World Cup, Australia is keen to regain their winning momentum and prove that they are genuine contenders for the coveted trophy.