Mitchell Starc Excited for Border-Gavaskar Trophy Against India
Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has expressed that the rivalry with India in Test cricket is as intense as the Ashes series against England. He hopes to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home once again.
For the current generation of Australian stars, a Test series win over India remains a dream. Despite winning the World Test Championship title last year, Australia, led by Test captain Pat Cummins, is still aiming to lift the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy will start with the first Test, a day match, at Perth Stadium from November 22 to November 26. India has won its last two series in Australia, in 2018-19 and 2020-21, and could make it a hat-trick of series wins.
Speaking to the Wide World of Sports, Starc said, “Being five matches now it is probably right on par with an Ashes series. We always want to win every game at home and we know India is a very strong team. As we are placed at the minute, we are 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 are sitting there on the 8th of January we have that trophy back on our shores.”
Starc, a veteran of 89 Tests with 358 wickets, emphasized that the longer format will always be a priority for him, with seven Tests coming up, five against India and two against Sri Lanka. He said, “The Tests will always be taking precedence for me. We have got seven Tests on the bounce with five against India and then two in Sri Lanka, so they sit on top of the tree with what is coming up. The schedule is pretty fluid… the three quicks in particular, Josh (Hazlewood), Pat (Cummins) and I, we all play three formats so it might look differently for each of us.”
Starc added, “I do not think we have put a deadline on anything. The Test matches will remain a priority, certainly for myself and I think it would be similar for the other two as well. We will see where (our) bodies are and the want to keep going, but at this stage, it is all guns blazing for five Tests against India.”
The second Test, scheduled for December 6 to 10 at Adelaide Oval, will feature the exciting day-night format. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18. The Boxing Day Test will take place from December 26 to 30 at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The series will conclude with the fifth Test at Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.
Doubts Revealed
Mitchell Starc -: Mitchell Starc is a famous Australian cricketer known for his fast bowling.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy -: The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a cricket series played between India and Australia. It is named after two famous cricketers, Allan Border from Australia and Sunil Gavaskar from India.
Ashes series -: The Ashes is a famous cricket series played between England and Australia. It is one of the oldest and most celebrated rivalries in cricket.
Test cricket -: Test cricket is a format of cricket that is played over five days. It is considered the longest and most traditional form of the game.
Perth Stadium -: Perth Stadium is a large sports stadium in Perth, Australia, where cricket matches and other sports events are held.
day-night match -: A day-night match in cricket is a game that starts in the afternoon and continues into the night, with players using a pink ball to see better under the lights.
Boxing Day Test -: The Boxing Day Test is a special cricket match that starts on December 26, the day after Christmas, and is held in Melbourne, Australia.
