Mitchell Starc is so used to being sidelined by Australia that he couldn’t appear to be more laid-back about the big decision that awaits selectors before the Lord’s Test this week.
At least, that’s the way the beanpole comes across as he shrugs with a smile: “If I do get a chance, it’s going to be an exciting week; if not, the lunches here are pretty good too!”
The 33-year-old was the unlucky quick to miss out on selection for the thrilling first-Test win at Edgbaston but is tipped to be thrust straight back into the fray for the second match at the home of cricket beginning on Wednesday.
When it was suggested to him England were preparing for his swift left-arm assault in practice at Lord’s because they’re evidently convinced he’ll play on a wicket that looks greener and livelier than the Edgbaston pudding, Starc just grinned: “Do they know something our selectors don’t?”
Adamant that he’s not concerned about the speculation after being dropped 11 times down the years by Australia, he explained on Monday that he’s become accustomed to the ups and downs of being sidelined only to be brought back as a key strike bowler.
“I’m used to it from last time,” he smiled. “I’ve been around long enough, been dropped enough, probably been dropped the most in this squad, so it’s not something new for me. It probably won’t be the last time either.
“It’s never fun, everyone wants to play. If and when i get a turn, I’ll be ready to go. If not this week, then I’ll get ready for Headingley.”
But all the signs are that he will be thrust in this week, most likely at the expense of Scott Boland, who was targeted by the English batters at Edgbaston.
Starc has taken 37 wickets in 10 Tests in England but only featured once in 2019, when his four wickets at Old Trafford helped Australia retain the Ashes.
But he’s well aware that this is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for him and the older denizens in the bowling attack.
“We are coming off a good week but know we can play better cricket and the way England are playing their cricket, they will come as hard if not harder at us,” he said. “It is a chance to go 2-0 up. It is not lost on us the opportunity we do have.
“For some of us it is our fourth trip here and coming off the back of ’19, where we retained the Ashes but missed out on winning, the carrot is certainly there.
“Certainly for the wider group, players and staff who have been so close or lost series here, it is certainly an incentive to keep going, but we are not looking too far past this week.”
Lyon gets a taste of Piastri-ball in the Lord’s nets
Never mind Bazball. Nathan Lyon has had to admit defeat in the Lord’s nets to the new cricketing force that is Piastriball.
Oscar Piastri, Australia’s lone Formula One driver, sped into the home of cricket on Monday, invited to have a bit of fun at the end of practice by the national team before Wednesday’s second Ashes Test.
And McLaren’s rookie demonstrated that he packs a punch with the bat as he took on first-Test hero Lyon, having been loaned the spinner’s bat and batting gear, and caught hold of a real beauty aimed over mid-wicket.
“Yeah, he hit it pretty well – I’ll give it to him,” said an impressed Lyon, when one onlooker suggested it would have been a six if it hadn’t ballooned into the nets.
“Well played!”
He also liked the look of Piastri’s forward defensive, laughing: “He’s almost got a better defence than a Pom … am I allowed to say that?”
London-based Piastri, who was enjoying a free day before flying off for the Austrian Grand Prix, also faced a few – thankfully gentle – deliveries from Mitchell Starc, and also looked to have some pace himself as he hurled down an over at Marnus Labuschagne.
He wasn’t the only star visitor hanging around the nets, with the team also meeting up with Geelong’s AFL legend Joel Selwood.
Ashes call beyond Ahmed’s wildest dreams
England teenager Rehan Ahmed has admitted being part of this week’s Ashes squad at Lord’s is beyond his wildest dreams.
Ahmed, 18, became the youngest man to play Test cricket for England in December when selected during the Pakistan series and marked his debut with a stunning five-wicket haul in Karachi.
The confidence of the Leicestershire allrounder has been clear from the outset despite his tender age, but even he conceded his call-up to the group for the second Test on Friday was unexpected despite injury concerns over Moeen Ali.
“It means everything. I would never have dreamed this,” Ahmed told England’s official Twitter account.
“To be part of an Ashes squad at my age, at Lord’s as well, I never saw it coming so it is lovely to be a part of.
“I was actually with my brother when Baz (head coach Brendon McCullum) called me, but my mum and dad found out straight away, and a couple of my friends.
“Baz said I would be joining up with the squad for the next couple of games, well the next four games. Yeah, he was so chilled about it as well but I was on the phone a bit panicky but just happy.”
Ahmed joined the group on Sunday and had his first nets session at Lord’s a day later.
While Ahmed has never played at the home of cricket, he is familiar with the ground having bowled there to future captain Ben Stokes when he was 11 and impressed the late Shane Warne two years later with his leg-spin.
He added: “Lord’s is always a special ground.
“I’ve never played here before, I’ve not been on the main pitch either but (I have) good memories from when I was 13, 14 and I net bowled for England as well.”
Quizzed on his Ashes memories, Ahmed admitted the first time he fully watched five days of a Test against Australia was the thrilling opener at Edgbaston last week.
With Moeen able to bowl during Monday’s training session, Ahmed is not expected to feature at Lord’s but made no secret of how much he relishes being part of the environment Stokes and McCullum have created. “The last game was probably the first time I watched the full Ashes, the full days,” Ahmed revealed.
“I was playing a game against Notts for Leicestershire and I was getting drinks every two overs for the score. The last game was unbelievable. Baz gave me a call on Friday morning. He basically told me I would come in and join the lads. It was unbelievable.
“I love it. I love being around this new environment that’s been created. It is unbelievable.”
with AAP
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