Brett Lee supports Mitchell Starc on "Incredible Ashes Series"

By Talat Masood Dec 2, 2021, 12:29 IST

Shane Warne says Mitchell Starc will have to be dropped for the first Ashes test but contradicts one of Australia's greatest quicks of all time.

Australian cricket legend Brett Lee has rejected criticism of Mitchell Starc, stating that the polarizing Schnell is prepared for an "incredible Ashes series". Shane Warne has called for Jhye Richardson to replace Starc for the five-game series against England, pointing to Starc's poor form in the national colors.

In last summer's test series with India, Starc only won 11 wickets with an average of 40.72 and was also below his brilliant best time at the T20 World Cup, which turned out to be particularly expensive in the final against New Zealand (0-60 after four overs) .

But Starc's critics did little to convince champion Fast Bowler Lee, who has participated in three Ashes series wins, including the 2006-07 whites. Lee believes veteran near-bowling trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are critical to Australia's chances of victory.

“Pat Cummins, the skipper, and Josh Hazlewood, you are definitely two of the first to be selected. And I'll go with Mitchell Starc, ”Lee told SEN's Breakfast With Vossy. “You need experience to play in such a big series. “Lots of people are demanding (Starcs) head on the chopping block. I do not go this way.

"I'm going to say that if Mitchell Starc can make an incredible Ashes series, if he can get the ball to swing back at 150 km / h, which he is very, very capable of." Lee admitted, however, that a smooth start to the Ashes could make Starc's position in the XI untenable.

“If I'm wrong and he doesn't score in the first couple of tests, it's fair enough (to drop him). I only supported Mitchell Starc, ”said Lee. Lee also gave his two cents in the race between Usman Khawaja and Travis Head for fifth in the batting order. Both have impressed nationally so far this summer, but Lee believes Khawaja has a slight advantage over his rival.

"Travis Head is a phenomenal cricketer and can definitely play a huge role for Australia, but I think he has a lot going for him with Khawaja's experience of his temper," said Lee.

"I think he's probably just nudging Head." Cricket Australia announced Thursday that Carey would take Tim Paine's place behind the stumps for the first Ashes Test after beating fellow wicketkeeper Josh Inglis. Lee believes adding Carey to the testing squad is the right decision.

"You don't want to go on an Ashes series with a newborn captain and a newborn goalkeeper," Lee said. "Alex Carey, who plays white ball cricket for Australia, comes with a 50-over-100, forms on the board, is 30 years old ... he's the obvious choice."