Mitchell Starc's upcoming workload is expected to be monitored by Cricket Australia, but newly-installed skipper Steve Smith admits he'll struggle to force the paceman to have a well-earned rest.
Starc played in all five Tests of Australia's Ashes defeat and shouldered the bulk of the work as Australia's strike bowler, sending down 142.2 overs during the series.
Fellow quick Mitchell Johnson, his nearest challenger for workload, bowled 140.1 overs - but has been rested from the one-day component of the tour, which begins on Thursday with a one-day clash against Ireland in Belfast.
The matchup against one of world cricket's minnows appeared to be the ideal opportunity for Starc to take a break, but Australia have instead gone with their full-strength lineup.
A Twenty20 match and five more one-dayers against England will follow and, while conscious of not wanting to overburden his strike bowler, Smith predicted Starc would put his hand up for every one of them.
"He's played a lot of cricket," Smith admitted.
"But he was a revelation for us in the World Cup and he wants to play every game that he's able to play.
"And he's going to lead this one-day attack hopefully for the next five years."
Despite finishing as Australia's leading wicket-taker for the series, with 18, Starc failed to strike a blow in the fifth Test victory at The Oval.
That performance led to suggestions that the talented 25-year-old, who plays all three forms of the game, may be getting weary from such a heavy workload.
There's no doubting Starc's ability with the white ball, however.
The left-armer is clear at the top of the world rankings for one day bowlers and was Australia's trump card during their successful World Cup campaign, finishing as man of the tournament having taken 22 wickets at just 10 runs apiece.
Share
