Ashes 2017/18: Mitchell Starc Reveals Australia Need to Plan for Joe Root

Australia speedster Mitchell Starc remarked the hosts are aware of the ability of England skipper and top-notch player Joe Root for scoring massively during the ongoing Ashes series.

The left-arm bowler Starc stated Root had been known for making a strong comeback and he could subsequently chance the complexion of the game by scoring the bulk of runs for England.

“Umm… yeah look I think Joe [Root] is such a good batter. He can come out in next couple of games and score some big runs,” Starc told Australian media.

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The pace bowling spearhead Starc reiterated Root could turn the tables for the visitors owing to his knack for playing quality innings.

With Australia already leading the traditional five-match series, Starc claimed the five-wicket haul in the second innings of the pink-ball Test to extend the Australia’s lead by 2-0 in Adelaide. Pertinently, Starc claimed five-wickets in 19.2 overs, whereas, Hazlewood managed to pick just two wickets which included the prized scalp of Joe Root.

Starc praised Hazlewood for his support with the new-ball and remarked his bowling partner has been making things easier for him in the ongoing Magellan Ashes 2017-18 series.

“Batting against pink-ball is never that easy. But again as I said before, Josh [Hazlewood] is… and that’s how good he is,” Starc maintained.

The right-handed top-order batsman Root was the top-scorer for England in the second innings with 67 off 123, as the visitors were strangulated at the score of 233 in 84.2 overs.

Hazlewood conceded 49 runs to remove Chris Woakes before Root to open the floodgates.

“[Hazlewood] turned the game on his head in the space of a couple of balls,” Starc asserted.

Moreover, Starc stressed they are looking forward to keeping Root contained in the third Test which will be beginning on December 14 in Perth.

“We have to go and make sure to get the few different plans for him,” Starc added.

Starc remarked the hosts are also working on the plans B and C to keep things under control against struggling England.

“We have to come out with Plan B and C and try different things in the field,” Starc further added.

Starc, who claimed eight wickets in the day and night match which saw Steven Smith-led Australia won the Test by 120 runs.

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The 27-year-old New South Wales-based Starc so far in four Ashes innings this time around claimed 14 wickets, as he added the hosts are in good stead when it comes to the performing unit.

“But at the moment we are in the good spot as far as bowling is concerned,” Starc concluded.

So far in 58 innings of 38 Tests, Starc bagged 162 wickets at an average of 27.54, as he claimed four five-wicket hauls and four four-wicket hauls, respectively since donning the white jersey in 2011 against New Zealand at Gabba in Brisbane.