Mitchell Starc, the spearhead of the Australian pace attack, ‘raised an eyebrow’ to Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed’s sledging comment about him in the build-up to the two-Test series between the two teams.
Ahmed, who is leading his side in the Asia Cup at the moment, says he expects a lot of verbal sparring ahead of the Test matches in the UAE.
“If you play against Australia you have to play a good series. Lots of sledging as well. Starc might do something like that, so I think this will be a good series. I don’t like sledging though,” said the wicket-keeper to cricket.com.au recently.
Starc, who is a part of Australia’s 15-member squad that will travel to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, said he was surprised by Ahmed’s statement.
“I did read that actually – raised an eyebrow to it,” Starc said. “I don’t think I’ve ever said anything to him on a cricket field. Bowled him once or twice, but haven’t said anything to him.
“I don’t think I’ll be one to say too much out there – it’s going to be quite warm and quite flat, so hopefully I’ll let the ball do the talking,” Starc said.
Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Matt Renshaw, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc.
