Funny that Starc with this amazing strike rate, and who has done very well in this series against Pakistan, was dropped for most of The Ashes. 

Think it was a fair call during the Ashes. From memory his red ball form had been mediocre and they aren't the conditions for Starc in general. It's the last place you want someone spraying the new ball around. Although in hindsight, he might have been very useful in that match where we couldn't get the last wicket. That's the thing about him, releases pressure but can take wickets out of nowhere. Very good in specific conditions.

I think Shane Warne made the good point that yes, he’s expensive, but he’s not in the team to be a line and length bowler. Cummins, Hazlewood, Pattinson & Siddle do that. Starc gives you that X factor where he can come in with raw pace and blast a few short balls or Yorkers and mix things up a bit.

Funny that Starc with this amazing strike rate, and who has done very well in this series against Pakistan, was dropped for most of The Ashes. 

I think starc is the best bowler in the world on a wicket where a draw is highly likely

However, if a draw is super unlikely we have much better options because his average is higher than others.

How much world cricket do you watch? In all seriousness?

You're saying he is a road warrior. As roads lead to draws, dustbowls and green vipers do not. And the best suited to roads. But roads only occur in NZ and Aus. So that makes Starc the best bowler for Aus, except, he isn't. Cummins is clearly outbowling him as did Rabada, Bumrah and many more.

I do agree he is a fine road warrior, though. But the best? I seriously question that...

No need to lose your manners

As to backing up my claim, if a draw is a danger you care more about strike rates than average.
of all current players above around 20 test matches only Rabada has a higher strike rate. Starc has one of the lowest strike rates of all time but an average in the mid to high 20s which makes him decent but not outstanding on helpful pitches. Cummins might overtake him but its too early to tell if his stats are warped by a small sample size.

Where exactly do you allege that I lost my manners? old chum?

And I am certain that I said Rabada was better than Starc on roads, SR or everage right? ;) He is right? :) Where's Bumnrah -d dont tell me Bumrah is behind Starc in Aus... now way. I havve to check

SO I checked Bumrah has Starc beat on average and SR in Aus. Shalll I check Rabada too? Or you admit Starc aint all that now against what I said... politely...

Just checked, Rabada has Starc easily beat in Aus... vs Warner and Smith even... :)

So where are you going with this Starc is the best on roads argument?????

Politely you are wrong. And I said you were wrong poilitely without losing my manners. But now I have confirmed all stats. I just knew SA and India thrashed you there in Aus. :)

SHall I do Cummins in Aus too? Oh heck why not... Wait up

Cummins has the much superior average 22.7 vs 26.8 bvut a slithly worse sr of 48.2 vs 47.7.

Im taking CUmmins on those numbers. But you know - there is a half ball strike rate argument to be had...

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Rabada and Bumrah eat starc in Aus and ask for more sir :)

why funny?

he was terrible.

like awful...

like even with a good 2018 he still ranked 19th ;)

Think it was a fair call during the Ashes. From memory his red ball form had been mediocre and they aren't the conditions for Starc in general. It's the last place you want someone spraying the new ball around. Although in hindsight, he might have been very useful in that match where we couldn't get the last wicket. That's the thing about him, releases pressure but can take wickets out of nowhere. Very good in specific conditions.