Australia’s fast bowling stalwart Mitchell Starc has declared the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India as a series of paramount importance, placing it on par with the prestigious Ashes series. The five-match contest, scheduled to commence in November, marks the first time since the 1991-92 season that the series will feature an expanded format.
“Being five matches now it’s probably right on par with an Ashes series,” Starc told Wide World of Sports.
The significance of the series transcends mere rivalry. It represents a pivotal opportunity for Australia to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a prize that has eluded them since their 2014-15 triumph. India, on the other hand, aims to extend their dominance, having secured four consecutive series wins, including their landmark victories in Australia during the 2018-19 and 2020-21 tours.
Starc’s ambitions extend beyond simply winning the series. He harbors a desire for a complete whitewash, recognizing the series’ impact on the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. Currently, India holds the top spot, with Australia closely trailing in second place.
“We always want to win every game at home and we know India are a very strong team,” Starc remarked. “As we’re placed at the minute, we’re the top two teams on the Test ladder… so a very exciting series coming up for the fans and certainly the players. Hopefully when we’re sitting there on the 8th of January, we have that trophy back on our shores.”
Starc is on the cusp of a remarkable milestone – his 100th Test appearance. Just 11 more caps stand between him and joining an elite group of cricketers. The 34-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down and has made a deliberate decision to curtail his involvement in limited-overs cricket, ensuring he remains at peak performance in the longer format.
“…every time I get to wear the baggy green cap, it feels very special. Hopefully it’s five times through the summer with five wins and we can sing that song five times, then we move on from there. “If it does come to a point where I’m lucky enough to get past that 100 number, then it’s obviously going to be pretty special as well,” he said.
Starc is scheduled to participate in a series of limited-overs matches in England this month. Upon completion of those fixtures, he will return home to represent New South Wales in domestic competitions.
“The Tests will always be taking precedence for me,” he emphasized. “We’ve got seven Tests on the bounce with five against India and then two in Sri Lanka, so they sit top of the tree with what’s coming up.”
Starc will spearhead Australia’s attack, joined by the formidable duo of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
“Pat is resting for this UK tour… we love playing all three formats but that could look different at different times over 12 months.”
“There is certainly no end date on (our bowling careers). That will be an ongoing one. We’ll see where (our) bodies are and the want to keep going, but at this stage it’s all guns blazing for five Tests against India.”
