Starc fires Ashes warning as Broad doubles down on ‘worst Australian team since 2010-11’ claim

3 months ago 12

Mitchell Starc says Australia are intent on securing an Ashes whitewash, while former England quick Stuart Broad insists he does not regret his pre-series claim that this is the worst Australian side since 2010-11.

Australia’s cricketers celebrated long into the night in Adelaide on Sunday after sealing an unassailable 3-0 series lead ahead of the remaining Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.

Travis Head posted on Instagram late on Sunday night a picture of him drinking alongside skipper Pat Cummins with the caption “Is it 2010 yet?” followed by three laughing emojis.

The post was a pointed reference to Broad’s pre-series comment that Australia were set to field their weakest Ashes team since England triumphed 3-1 in 2010-11.

Travis Head and Pat Cummins during Australia’s Ashes celebrations on Sunday evening.

Broad, who was not in Adelaide on commentary duties when Australia retained the Ashes, stood by his remarks while praising the home side’s relentlessness.

“Do I regret saying that? No. I did say Australia would have to play very badly [to lose the Ashes] and England would have to play very well,” Broad said on his For The Love of Cricket podcast.

“Australia haven’t played very badly and England haven’t played very well. I had Australia down as favourites, but I didn’t have them down as 3-0 favourites.

“There are a lot of things that have gone England’s way [in terms of injury and illness suffered by Australian players]. England haven’t been good enough ultimately. Australia have been relentless in what they’ve done. They’ve showed age is just a number.

“Do I think the [Australian] side of 2013-14 man for man was a better side? Yes, probably still. I don’t think individually they are better than any other team since 2010-11, but they’ve been relentless in the pressure they’ve managed to put on England, as have every Australian team since 2010.

“England losing 3-0 by the third Test is not something new. I don’t disagree with my comment. England have been at 20 per cent of their ability.”

Starc, the leading wicket taker in the series with 22 scalps at an average of 17, said he had no desire to rest for the matches in Melbourne or Sydney.

“I want more,” he said. “The next game starts in four days. I feel good and ready to go. My average speed was better than anyone [in Adelaide], so [I am] good to go.

“I plan every summer to play every game. So for me, that’s not changing.”

Australia have already registered two Ashes whitewashes this century, in 2006-07 and 2013-14.

“Fantastic to be where we’re standing, [but] the job’s not done,” Starc said.

Mitchell Starc celebrates after dismissing Will Jacks on day five in Adelaide.

“With a lot being made outside the group – and whilst we don’t pay too much attention to it – things get heard and sent around. There’ll be a lot of pleasure being in the situation we are.

“[There was] lots of hype … probably for longer than I can remember heading into an Ashes series. Really thrilled with how these three weeks went. They certainly made us work for it … but those ones are almost more special.”

Australia will be without Nathan Lyon in Melbourne and Sydney due to a hamstring injury, and there is every chance Cummins is rested for the remainder of the series after his “aggressive” return from a back injury.

Starc said Lyon, 38, still had a bright Test future despite hobbling off on day five in Adelaide.

“Really unfortunate for him,” Starc said. “I’m sure it’s a tough one to take. He contributed a lot to this Test match. He’s helped us get to this victory. I think he’s still got the hunger to give more to Australia. That’s all for him to think through. Hopefully it’s not a huge lay-off.”

Meanwhile, Starc called on the International Cricket Council to fund DRS technology after confusion about the availability of Hot Spot following a number of controversial decisions in Adelaide.

Players expressed frustration at the inconsistency in different technologies used across different series.

“I’m sure it’s frustrating for everyone, viewers, officials, broadcasters,” Starc said. “I can only speak for myself here. The officials use it, right? Why doesn’t the ICC pay for it? Why is it not just one across the board? Why don’t we use the same technology in all different series? That’s going to perhaps create less confusion and less frustration.”