Mitchell Starc, Australia vs India 2018
Getty Images.

The second Test promises to be a riveting contest, quite literally as the weather forecast read 36 degrees. Come Friday–the day first of the second Test between Australia and India at Perth could throw a surprise. Weeks ahead of the series, it was quite clear that Australia’s pace trio; Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are the key to the hosts’ success.

The Australian batting line-up is thoroughly depleted. They are missing some of their experienced campaigners, and the current crop of batters haven’t promised much. If Tim Paine’s baggy green brigade wants to stop the spirited Indian side-led by Virat Kohli; bowling is the facet which needs a tick. Out of the three pacers, the concern lies with speedster Starc.

Australia vs India 2018: Will Vintage Mitchell Starc Show Up in Perth?
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Numbers Game:

At 28, Starc has been a part of many telling stories. He has led the charge with the new ball time and again. The stride and the release still keep the best of batsmen guessing.

Yet, it was Starc, who looked eager to prove a point during the practice session, ahead of the Test starting on 14th December.

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Under the watchful eyes of head coach Justin Langer and bowling coach David Saker, Starc had an extended session with the cherry.

Out of the three current pacers in the XI, Starc is the most experienced one. He went into Adelaide with 45 caps under his kitty; five more than his bowling partner Josh Hazlewood.

The New South Wales pacer averages 28.31 in Tests, but against India, it shoots up to 37.38 from seven encounters. His fellow companion Hazlewood fares better with 30.80 against his name from an equal number of matches against the same opposition.

Since the five-wicket haul against South Africa in March, Starc has considerably gone through a drought in 2018. His average this year- 32.57 is nowhere close to the previous two years (22.58 and 26.34 respectively).

Australia vs India 2018: Will Vintage Mitchell Starc Show Up in Perth?
Source: Getty

Lack of rhythm and wayward finish:

The pace spearhead Starc had an underwhelming outing at the Adelaide Oval. He alone conceded 16 byes as Australia finished 31-run short of the daunting target set in the fourth innings. He fought well with the bat; along with the other tail-enders. Starc faced 44 deliveries in the chase and scored a vital 28 with the bat.

The tall and lean cricketer also managed to bag five wickets, but it was certain that he wasn’t at his best with the ball.

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40 overs, five scalps and a mute brand new Kookaburra

In the first innings, he bagged the wickets of Murali Vijay before cleaning up Ishant Sharma. The bowler set up Vijay with short ones before sending one down- full in length.

There were stares and glares as he kept on beating young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant’s bat. Starc looked promising if not at his red-hot best. In the second innings though, it seemed as if the pacer was struggling to hold his body together.

Starc scalped both the batters in the second innings as well and added Ravichandran Ashwin’s stick by bowling a short one. But Paine had a torrid time behind the stumps, and the agony was visible in the pacer’s face.

Australia vs India 2018: Will Vintage Mitchell Starc Show Up in Perth?
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Did Cricket Australia miss a trick?

Starc couldn’t make the red new-ball talk. Lack of exposure, of late, may well be the reason for the dip in form. Ahead of the Test series, Starc was rested from domestic cricket along with the pool of fast bowlers. He played a solitary red-ball game against Queensland mid-November, where he managed to bag a wicket each in both innings.

Starc’s USP has always been setting up the batters by angling in the ball before making it swing toward the slip region. More often than not, the batsman plays down the leg and ends up presenting an edge if not getting castled.

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Mitchell Starc, Joe Root, Perth Test, Ashes 2017-18, Plan, Josh Hazlewood
Mitchell Starc has a lot to play for. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Hosts look to stem the rot in Perth:

The venue for the second Test is the newly constructed Optus stadium, which hosted a couple of games so far. New South Wales took on Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield. Apart from the pace and bounce, the track assisted significant seam movement.

According to reports, the local curator is set to leave grass on the pitch. With lieutenant Hazlewood and in-form Cummins in the pack, the hosts are likely to have an ideal scenario to make things even-steven before heading to the Boxing Day Test. The pacer trio also contributed to five wins out of seven games, every time they took the field together. Times are desperate for Australia, and Perth promises to be the perfect jail-break.