Lehmann encouraged by Starc fitness

Mitchell Starc has endured a heavy workload this year, but coach Darren Lehmann has been impressed with his strong finish to the series.

Australia's Mitchell Starc

Australia coach Darren Lehmann is impressed by Mitchell Starc's strong finish to the one-day series. (AAP)

Australia coach Darren Lehmann is encouraged by Mitchell Starc's strong finish to the one-day series win over England.

Starc was recalled for Australia's winner-takes-all clash in Manchester on Sunday and responded with a fearsome first over which set the tone for Australia's emphatic victory.

He finished with figures of 1-44, but having rattled England's cages in the opening overs, his job in many ways was already done.

It was a far cry from the weary paceman who laboured through game three at the same Old Trafford venue to a career-worst return of 1-79 just a week before.

That led to him being rested from game four in Leeds - the first match Starc has missed for Australia this calendar year, having featured in the previous 26 games across all formats.

Starc will have just a ten-day rest in Australia if, as expected, he is picked in the 15-man squad to tour Bangladesh next month.

Lehmann confirmed the 25-year-old left-armer will have scans upon his return to Australia but said he was pleased with the world's No.1 bowler's ability to push through after a busy schedule this year - considering his injury troubles in the past.

"He's tired, as we all are," Lehmann said.

"But I'm pleased he's got through - that's the great thing for him.

"Especially after what he's gone through in the last few years where he hasn't played enough cricket."

Australia captain Steve Smith admitted to feeling fatigued at the end of the three-month UK tour, and felt for Starc, but hoped the ten-day break would be sufficient for the pair of them.

Meanwhile, fellow quick Pat Cummins enjoyed a breakout month - which doubled as the first time the injury-plagued quick has survived a five-match series.

His six consecutive ODIs played is also a record for the fit-again paceman, who terrorised England's batsman by reaching speeds of 150km/h.

Smith said he was confident that Cummins, who hasn't played Test cricket since his one and only clash against South Africa in 2011, would be hardy enough to be relied upon should he return to the Test arena.

"I thought he was extremely impressive throughout this one-day series," Smith said.

"He's worked extremely hard over the past couple of years to get back - he's had a tough time of it - and it's great to see him back on the field and consistently bowling with that 150km/h (pace).

"It's never nice to face.

"I'm confident if he gets picked for a Test match that he'll be able to stand up to it and do a good job."


Share

3 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world