Former captain Ricky Ponting believes that pacer Mitchell Starc is in the best form of his life. Starc has been lethal in the ongoing Ashes, ending up as Player of the Match in two of the three Test matches played so far.
Speaking on the ICC Review Podcast, Ponting said that after adding some new skills Starc has become a ‘complete’ bowler.
“I don’t think I’ve seen him bowl better. It really has been quite outstanding what he’s done with the new ball. You know, he’s always been known as a brand new ball bowler, and then someone that was a good bowler with the old ball, the ball that was reverse swinging. But he’s added a few different dimensions to his game, a few different skills which have made him a more complete bowler.” he said.
In the initial half of the Ashes, Australia missed the services of their experienced duo of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. However, Starc stole the show and is currently the highest wicket taker of the series, having taken 22 wickets from six innings at an average of 17.04.
Ponting shed light on the technicalities that make Starc lethal.
“You know, he just doesn’t rely on that big in-swinger now to a right-hander. He’s got the wobble stem delivery that goes across the right-hander and gives him a lot more consistency. So he knows he can bowl that ball pretty much at will. He knows the line and length that it’s going to be delivered at. And then his big strike weapon is still the fuller in-swinging ball to the right-handers.” he added.
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