Mitchell Starc was slammed for lacking fire in his spell on Sunday.
India needed six wickets while Australia were 219 runs short of victory at the close of day's play on Sunday in the first Test match at Adelaide Oval. At stumps Australia were 104/4 with Shaun Marsh not out on 31 while local boy Travis Head was unbeaten on 11.
Earlier, spinner Nathan Lyon picked up six wickets for 122 runs, as Australia bowled out India for 307 to give themselves an outside chance of success in the match.
However, not all bowlers did well for the hosts.
On Sunday, Australia’s most experienced quick Mitchell Starc was expected to fire to restrict India’s threatening lead. However, on Sunday, he struggled to find his line and length for most parts of his spell. Starc, who returned figures of 3/40, bowled two balls way down the leg side for four byes, conceding 17 runs in two overs, before he was taken out of the attack.
Former Mitchell Johnson and Glenn McGrath were among the ones who criticised the pacer.
Lyon defends Starc
However, Nathan Lyon defended his fellow bowler's performance. When Lyon was questioned about Starc's performance the spinner said 'Mitch is going okay'.
Lyon cheekily invited the journalist to face Starc in the nets, “If you want to come and face him in the nets, feel free."
“His prep’s been unbelievable. I know he’s probably a bit sore and tired but that happens in Test cricket when you have to bowl a lot of overs. He’s got my full support, he’s got the whole change room and he’s one of the best bowlers in the world.”
Lyon's answer to the journalist was reminiscent of MS Dhoni asking a journalist to sit next to him on the dias after being asked about his retirement.
'Lack of intent'
However, not everybody shared the positve outlook of Lyon.
Mitchell Johnson said that it looked like Starc lacked intent. “I just don’t like his body language,” Johnson said in commentary for ABC radio. “He hasn’t given a bit of a glare or puffed his chest out with a good follow through, let the batsman know he’s in the contest, that he’s going to rip the pegs out.”
Glenn McGrath also chimed in. “He just doesn’t seem to have that rhythm,” McGrath said in commentary for Channel 7. “When he gets to the crease he doesn’t have his normal rhythm and he’s probably leaning back a little bit, over striding and you don’t get through the crease as well.”
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