‘I’d like to milk my body for all I can for Test cricket’: Starc after Mackay heroics

Mackay, Aug 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) Mitchell Starc reaffirmed his commitment to Test cricket after producing a match-winning 10-wicket haul against Bangladesh, saying the longest format remains the pinnacle for him and he wants to continue playing for Australia for as long as his body allows.

Starc was named Player of the Match and Player of the Series after spearheading Australia's innings-and-51-run victory in the second Test at Mackay on Sunday. The result levelled the two-match series 1-1 following Bangladesh's nine-wicket win in Darwin.

The left-arm pacer claimed six wickets in the first innings and added four more in the second to finish with 10/51, his best 10-wicket haul in a home Test. His performance also helped Australia complete the two-day Test in just 750 balls.

Asked about his longevity and commitment to Australia's Test team, Starc made it clear that the format remains his biggest priority.

"Yeah, it's still hanging together. Yeah, I thoroughly enjoy being part of this group. Test cricket, I've said it before, will always be the pinnacle for me," Starc said after the match.

The 36-year-old also highlighted the significance of the Australian team environment and the celebrations that follow a Test victory.

"Later on when we get to sing the song, and he's leading it, that's one of the main reasons why we like to do it, love to do it. So, yeah, I'd like to milk my body for all I can for Test cricket, and that's how it..." he said.

Starc's comments came after another outstanding performance that took him into the top 10 wicket-takers in Test history. However, the veteran pacer remained focused on the present rather than milestones.

"I don't know yet. I'm still playing. Nathan did remind me that I've just stepped on the first rung of the ladder and he's still up there looking down on me. So, still got a way to go," Starc said, referring to teammate Nathan Lyon.

Reflecting on Australia's response after their defeat in Darwin, Starc said the team delivered the performance they expected from themselves in Mackay.

"Yeah, much better week. We knew we weren't at our best, or what we expect of ourselves in Darwin. Bangladesh played really well, so nothing away from them there,but yeah, what we expect from ourselves this week is what we got, particularly with the ball on a wicket that aided us with the ball. So, yeah, one-all series, but a much better week for us," he said.

Starc also enjoyed his experience playing in Darwin and Mackay, drawing similarities between the Mackay surface and Brisbane's Gabba.

"Yeah, it's been a nice wicket. I guess a lot of similarities to the Gabba, which the Queensland boys let us know quite quickly. But yeah, it's been a lovely couple of days of weather and a few points on the golf course and a good Test match win," he said.

The Australian pacer is now set to turn his attention towards the team's upcoming white-ball commitments in Africa before returning to Test cricket.

"Yeah, there's a couple of white-ball series before those Test matches into Africa. So I will just get told what I'm doing and will pack the bag accordingly. Passport ready to go," Starc said.

Source: IANS