Starc could slip ‘back to the pack’ if change is made

Former Australian seamer Damien Fleming said Starc had work to do to regain his groove in time for the slated three Tests in South Africa.

“If Starc is swinging the ball, he is an absolute star. If he fixes this before the tour of South Africa, then I would play him. I don’t think he is a good first-change option where he averages 38 with the ball. He is back to the pack when he is first change,” he said.

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The selectors opted to overlook fellow quicks Michael Neser, Sean Abbott and James Pattinson through the series, although Pattinson was available for only the first two Tests, having injured his ribs in a freak accident on his property just after the Boxing Day Test. He reinforced his value through the 2019 Ashes series and last summer’s home campaign against New Zealand, leaving him with 81 career wickets in 21 Tests, but he now finds himself in a battle to be fit for South Africa.

Pattinson, 30, has not joined the Big Bash League bubble and will not play for the Melbourne Renegades, meaning he has played only the one match this summer since returning from the Indian Premier League – a tour match against India in Sydney when he claimed 3-58 and 0-54.

While Pattinson battles, West Australian skidder Jhye Richardson, 24, has emerged as a contender for the South Africa tour, having had his career derailed by a dislocated shoulder. He played his only two Tests against Sri Lanka in early 2019 but missed the World Cup and Ashes tour, having hurt his shoulder in a white-ball series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

He has had a strong BBL campaign and provides a variety that would offset the pace and bounce of his three vaunted teammates. However, he still cannot throw properly, having to do so in a bowling motion, and does not know when he will be able to conventionally throw again.

Fleming said the selectors had several questions to ponder, ahead of a Test series when there is likely to be little rest between the three Tests, and the tourists will be wary of having a tiring attack.

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“Then comes the question between Pattinson and Richardson, and what their role is,” Fleming said.

“‘Patto’ is a better first-change option. If Richardson plays, he needs to open the bowling. He provides a different trajectory to the others, is ‘skiddier’ and has later out swing.”

If Richardson is not selected for South Africa, he is likely to join the Australian white-ball squad in New Zealand, where a five-match Twenty20 series will run concurrently with the South Africa tour.