Ashes 2021-22: ‘Mitchell Starc Needs To Find A Bit Of Rhythm And Some Form’- Shane Warne Bats For Jhye Richardson In Ashes Opener

Australian spin legend Shane Warne has said that he would prefer right-arm pacer Jhye Richardson in place of left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc in the Australia XI for the first Ashes 2021-22 Test against England to be played at the Gabba, Brisbane from December 8 onwards.

The England team has started their on-field training and will play an intra-squad match. On the other hand, the home team will be led by new captain Pat Cummins for the first time in the Test arena.

Shane Warne, who was recently involved in a motorbike accident opined that Starc, who has played 61 Tests and taken 255 wickets for Australia, is not in form as evident from his performance in the recent T20 World Cup 2021, which Australia won for the first time ever.

“He had a really poor (T20) World Cup (in the UAE). He’s just not bowling well enough. He needs to find a bit of rhythm and some form. It’s too important at the Gabba (the venue for the opening Ashes Test). So I’m all for Jhye Richardson (to replace him),” Warne told Fox Cricket on Tuesday.

Starc grabbed nine wickets at 27.55 in Australia’s title triumph at the ICC T20 World Cup but failed to take a wicket in the final against New Zealand, conceding 60 runs in his four overs.

I Hope Mitchell Swepson Gives Selectors Chance To Put Pressure On Nathan Lyon: Shane Warne

Furthermore, Shane Warne was of opinion that not only Mitchell Starc is not in form, but even off-spinner Nathan Lyon is under the pressure of performing as evident from his lack of wickets against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier in the year.

Warne also said that Nathan Lyon’s form too had dipped last summer and he too should not be an automatic choice for the Ashes. He further said that Mitchell Swepson should be given a chance by Australian selectors in order to put some pressure on Nathan Lyon.

“He had a poor summer last year, so did Mitchell Starc, so that’s where Australia really struggled. Lyon’s form isn’t great. I hope (Mitchell) Swepson gives an option for the selectors then to say ‘well, you know, Nathan’s not bowling that well or we want to play two spinners’, put some pressure on Nathan Lyon,” Warne said.

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