With less than 500 days remaining for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 to commence, Australia have started their preparation now itself. Spearhead Mitchell Starc has indicated that defending champions, have started trying out combinations keeping in mind the World Cup.
According to cricbuzz, Starc said: “It’s finding a combination that works now and we’ve got a bit of time before the World Cup … all our one-day cricket is looking forward to that World Cup.” Australia’s ODI form has been poor, thus far, losing 9 of the 10 matches.
He explains, “In a way, it could help having a team together throughout the whole time. Obviously, the scheduling is part of it with injuries as well. I haven’t played much ODI cricket since the Champions Trophy, for one.”
Australia were handed their second defeat in a row against England, and now trail the 5-ODI series 0-2. Speaking about England’s rise, Starc said: “I think they have had the same team from the Champions Trophy throughout so it has helped their form of cricket and how they are playing the game from there.”
Speaking about his own availability, Starc confirmed he will try to play remaining 3 ODIs. He says, “I’m alright. Still three more ODIs to go and I’m planning to be available for all three. So we’ll see how we go and just keep managing things and play it by ear and the medical staff and the selectors will be on the same page. If the two big guys (Hazlewood and Cummins) come back tomorrow it’s important for us to start really well with the ball against a pretty aggressive line-up.”
