Ashes 2019: Mithchell Johnson wants Starc instead of Cummins at Lord's
London, Aug 13: Former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson wants to make a change to Australias playing XI for the second Ashes Test, slated to start at the Lord's on Wednesday. Johnson said he would
The slope at the home of cricket -- which drops 2.5 metres across the playing surface -- is the reason behind Johnson's choice of Starc for Pattinson.
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"I'd go for Starc and probably have Pattinson out. As much as I want to see (Josh) Hazlewood go well you can't drop Sidds," Johnson was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
"He's (Starc) been really useful and especially on the slope I think he'd be very good and he just backed up (off-spinner Nathan) Lyon really well. And (Pat) Cummins is in his own little world, just leave him be," the former pacer added.
Johnson felt that making a change in the winning combination would be a bit tough but still he would back Starc.
"It's hard to change a winning side but I'd like to see Starc still come charging in. The slope comes into it, big time. Left-armer, bit of a different angle.
"We saw in the last Test the (Australian fast bowlers) coming around the wicket a fair bit … I'm not too sure about that. Someone's got to stay over and one around to left-hand batters. So maybe a left-hand bowler would be ideal," he opined.
Starc had missed the first Test in Birmingham but bowled with decent pace in Australia's tour match against Worcestershire, emerging with figures of 2/56 from his 15.5 overs.
