Durban, September 23 (Daily Kiran) : Mitchell Starc, the Australian fast bowler, has expressed that the historical tensions between Australia and South Africa in cricket have significantly diminished. Speaking ahead of the upcoming series, Starc noted that the fierce rivalries that once characterized matches between the two teams have given way to a more amicable atmosphere.
He recalled how past encounters often featured heated exchanges both on and off the field, but now, he believes, there is no lingering animosity. Starc emphasized that the matches will be played in a positive spirit, reflecting the changing relationship between the players.
Australia returns to Durban eight years after the infamous 2018 series, marked by player altercations and the notorious “sandpaper gate” scandal. Starc is set to lead the bowling attack in the first One Day International at Kingsmead on Thursday.
In an interview with Cricket.com.au, Starc remarked, “I think there is no animosity anymore. Both teams are well acquainted with each other from the franchise (T20) cricket world. Not just me, but many players have been competing against each other for several years. So, these are definitely two teams that know each other a bit, both on and off the field. However, I don’t think this will affect either team’s desire to win decisively.”
Starc also expressed his anticipation for the crowd’s energy, particularly from the lively “Castle Corner.” He shared, “I know how to ignore them. I remember the RSA corner – there are no rules for serving alcohol there – they can get rowdy, which is what you expect on foreign tours. There’s no doubt we’ll see some of that throughout the series. Whether it happens on Thursday, I can’t say for sure, but it will definitely be present during the Test match.”
Recent seasons have seen an increase in camaraderie among players from both teams. Key figures like Mitchell Marsh (acting captain), Steve Smith, and Starc have shared dressing rooms with South African stars such as Ryan Rickelton, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi in leagues like the IPL, The Hundred, and Major League Cricket.
The shared experiences in these leagues have fostered better relationships among the players. Starc also mentioned that the pitch conditions in Durban will be quite different from when he last played a Test match there, where he took nine wickets for 109 runs on a dry surface benefiting from reverse swing.
Due to heavy rains and humid weather in KwaZulu-Natal recently, conditions are expected to favor fast bowlers. Starc commented, “We are not in the phase where the wicket is typically dry and hard. It will be interesting to see how the weather holds up in the coming days. Our team was in Zimbabwe, and they mentioned the outfield was quite hard and good for play.”
He added, “The weather in Zimbabwe was a bit hot and dry. There was some rain before we arrived here in Durban, and I think there’s a forecast for more rain in the coming weeks. So, there are some uncertainties. That’s part of Test cricket, and you just have to adapt to the conditions.”
Leave a Comment