Damien Fleming Feels Mitchell Starc Could Be Dropped From Australia's Playing XI

Former Australian bowler Damien Fleming feels Mitchell Starc could be on the verge of losing out his test place owing to the poor series he had against India at home. The left-arm quickie has been struggling to find his best rhythm with the ball and he hasn’t looked as dangerous as during his early days. He has picked up only three wickets in the last two tests against India and has now started to face a lot of criticism.

“If Starc is swinging the ball, he is an absolute star. If he fixes this before the tour of South Africa, then I would play him. I don’t think he is a good first-change option where he averages 38 with the ball. He is back to the pack when he is first change,” Damien Fleming told the Sydney Morning Herald. Michell Starc was one of the best bowlers of the tournament in 2015 and 2019 tournaments.

Damien Fleming Suggests Two Other Bowlers In Contention

Damien Fleming also suggested two fast bowlers, Jhye Richardson and James Pattinson who could be in contention to replace Mitchell Starc in the playing lineup against South Africa. He also told that if Pattinson makes the cut in the playing XI, then he could be a better first change bowler while Richardson could be a better new ball bowler rather than the first change bowler with his unusual trajectory.

“Then comes the question between Pattinson and Richardson, and what their role is,‘Patto’ is a better first-change option. If Richardson plays, he needs to open the bowling. He provides a different trajectory to the others, is ‘skiddier’ and has later out swing,” added Damien Fleming on his verdict about replacing Mitchell Starc.

Starc’s Declining Form In Tests

Mitchell Starc who has had a great impact at home matches previously failed to replicate his own standards and finished the series with 11 wickets in four matches at an average of 40.71. He indeed bowled superbly in the first overs of the innings at times bringing the new ball into the right-handers, but apart from that he has gone down the race and doesn’t look like the old Mitchell Starc that the world knows.

The worrying factor is the number of runs he has been giving away and the number of loose balls he has bowled.