England Vs Australia: Mitchell Starc Likely To Miss Ashes 2019 Opener

Mitchell Starc, the highest wicket-taker at the just-concluded ICC Cricket World Cup, picked up 22 wickets as Australia whitewashed England 4-0 in the previous Ashes series

IANS

Updated on: 30 July 2019 10:09 pm

Australia's star pacer Mitchell Starc is likely to miss out on a berth in the starting XI when the team begins their Ashes campaign, at Birmingham on Thursday.

Australia head coach Justin Langer revealed Usman Khawaja and James Pattinson were set to play in the opening Ashes encounter.

Also Read: Mitchell Starc Keeps Writing His Story Again And Again

While Pattinson will return to Test cricket in more than three years, he is likely to partner Pat Cummins with Starc and Josh Hazlewood fighting it out between them and Peter Siddle for the third pacers' spot.

"There's probably three to be fair, Starcy, Peter Siddle and Josh Hazlewood, for one spot," coach Langer was quoted as saying by The Australian. "Three pretty good players to try to find a spot for, I reckon."

Also Read: Best Bets Ahead Of 2019 Ashes | Assembling Dream XI

"They're all three great or very, very good bowlers aren't they," Langer said.

With 27 wickets, Starc was the highest wicket-taker at the just-concluded World Cup. He also picked up 22 wickets as Australia whitewashed England 4-0 in the previous Ashes series.