Mitchell Starc namedrops Ben Stokes as he reveals impact of Cameron Green's absence on Australia

Mitchell Starc admitted that Australia's Test team faces a significant challenge with the absence of Cameron Green for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against India at home. Green’s back surgery has ended his season prematurely, forcing Australian selectors to reconsider the team’s balance, especially their pace attack.

Cameron Green's absence left a noticeable gap in Australia's lineup, particularly in the bowling department, where his all-rounder role had provided crucial support to the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood.

Mitchell Starc admits Australia’s dynamics will change without Cameron Green

With Team India known for grinding out long batting sessions, Australia’s aging pace attack may find itself under extra strain as they prepare for a grueling summer. Given that, the senior pacer, Micthell Starc, has openly admitted that Australia would need an extra pacer this summer.

As Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Cummins Hazlewood are likely to start, the Australian selectors are now considering their options to manage the workload. They are exploring the reserves like Scott Boland, Michael Neser, and Sean Abbott to help the main trio if the need arises against India.

Starc said that Australians have played without all-rounders in the past as well, so they can manage, but suggested that the T20I captain and pace-bowling all-rounder Mitchell Marsh may step up.

However, the speedster reiterated that the dynamics of the team will shift considerably without Cameron Green, and their spin legend Nathan Lyon will have to bowl a lot of overs this summer.

Cameron Green’s injury puts extra workload on Australia’s pace trio for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: Mitchell Starc

Starc further noted that Green’s absence leaves Australia’s balance vulnerable, forcing them to adapt and adjust their approach against a formidable Indian cricket team for the upcoming five-match Test series next month.

Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, the pacer also compared Australia’s current condition with England's challenges when missing Ben Stokes, as the loss of such players fundamentally changes how a team operates.

Mitchell Starc was quoted as saying by AAP: “It will always change the dynamic when you take a genuine allrounder like a Cameron Green, or with England when you take a Ben Stokes out. When you have that genuine allrounder who has been part of a group for a while... you get into a bit of a routine of having that extra bowling option.”

Starc added, “I don't know what the dynamic of that line-up is going to be; there is a lot of talk around that opening spot and Mitch (Marsh) bowling as well. It's not completely foreign. We've had series in the past where we haven't had an allrounder at all. We've had to take some of that workload, and Gaz (Nathan Lyon) has probably had to bowl a bit extra as well.”

Mitchell Starc set to start preparations for India Tests with Sheffield Shield

Notably, Mitchell Starc is set to kick off his red-ball summer for New South Wales when they face Victoria in the Sheffield Shield on Sunday, October 20. The Australian speedster will be joined by his teammates Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon in the Sheffield Shield.

Josh Hazlewood is scheduled to return in New South Wales' next game against Queensland, while Starc will be given a rest after the Victoria game in the Sheffield Shield.