Starc warning: age no barrier for Aussies at next Ashes
Scott Bailey |
Mitchell Starc says age should not be considered a barrier for Australia’s frontline attack embarking on another Ashes tour, believing it can be of benefit in England next year.
Australia’s players celebrated long into the evening at the SCG on Thursday, with the retiring Usman Khawaja leading the team song after the 4-1 series success.
The team’s next Test series is not until August against Bangladesh in Mackay and Darwin, with those two matches kicking off the busiest 12 months in Australia’s history.
When Australia retained the Ashes in England in 2023 with a 2-2 draw, it was feared that as few as four players could return from that group in 2027.
But with the series just 18 months away, only David Warner, Usman Khawaja and Mitch Marsh have retired, opening the door for at least 10 players to go again.
“This group has shown that whilst there’s so much made about our age profile, at times through this series that experience has been a really good thing,” Starc said.
“We’ve seen guys prove that if you’re still playing your role or if you’re still good enough, it shouldn’t matter how old you are.
“Our group do that really well and tailor programs or preparation for that. And we’ve seen the results this year.”
“I’d love to go … but we’ve got plenty of cricket before then.”
Ray Lindwall and Kenneth Mackay remain the only two Australian quicks to play Tests after the age of 37 since World War II, with both doing so in the early 1960s.
Starc will be 37 by the time Australia leave for England next year and Scott Boland 38, but both got through all five Tests this summer unscathed.
Neither are showing any sign of slowing down, with Boland taking 20 wickets this summer and Starc man of the series with 31 at 19.93.
“Part of the reason I gave away the T20 stuff, was trying to prolong my Test career,” Starc said.
“It’s not always the case, but I feel like on the last day of a five-Test series, I’ve felt in worse condition than I have this series.”
Cummins is a near certainty to captain the side at age 34 if fit, with winning Australia’s first Test series in England since 2001 still a bucket-list item for most players.
Josh Hazlewood will likely face the hardest path given his ongoing run of injuries, even if, at age 35, he remains as good as ever when on the field.
Nathan Lyon would also be 39, and had indicated he wanted to play into 2027 before his most recent hamstring tear.
Young quick Fergus O’Neill could be among several contenders to join the squad, given how his ability to move the ball has made him a success in county cricket.
Beyond the bowlers, Steve Smith will be 38 and insists he is taking a series-by-series approach.
Big questions will be asked over Jake Weatherald and Cameron Green’s spots in the team before the Bangladesh Tests, with Campbell Kellaway, Matt Renshaw and Nathan McSweeney other top-order options.
POSSIBLE AUSTRALIAN ASHES SIDE IN 2027
Matt Renshaw
Travis Head
Marnus Labuschagne
Steve Smith
Josh Inglis
Beau Webster
Alex Carey
Pat Cummins
Mitchell Starc
Nathan Lyon
Scott Boland
Other squad members: Campbell Kellaway, Jhye Richardson, Cameron Green, Fergus O’Neill, Todd Murphy.
AAP
