Mitchell Starc’s absence from the Boxing Day Test proved his value to Australian cricket

IF you needed any more evidence of Mitchell Starc’s value to the Australian Test side, the Boxing Day Test was proof of the team’s reliance on their best quick writes IAN CHAPPELL.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA — DECEMBER 17: Mitchell Starc of Australia celebrates getting the wicket of James Vince of England during day four of the Third Test match during the 2017/18 Ashes Series between Australia and England at WACA on December 17, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

THE Australian team is far from a one man operation but the absence of Mitchell Starc made a huge difference in their ability to outflank England on a lifeless MCG pitch.

For the first time in the series, Alastair Cook was not hounded off the ground by the new ball. Then, in the big left-armer’s absence, the England tail suddenly found its wag and Joe Root’s team established their first lead in the series.

On such a benign MCG pitch, Starc may not have swung the result Australia’s way but there’s no doubt that without him playing the enforcer role the England batsmen — from top to bottom — breathed a little easier.

Australia missed Starc terribly at the MCG.

The Australian attack at the MCG was still a good one but after struggling to a draw there’s no doubt, especially in testing conditions, who is the battering ram that breaks down opposition resistance. Starc is crucial to Australia remaining competitive when they encounter a revitalised South African attack in the New Year.

Having gained a substantial lead thanks to the stubborn defiance and surprisingly invigorating stroke play of the redoubtable Cook, England failed to capitalise by not declaring at the fall of Stuart Broad’s wicket.

A teasing session that claimed the wicket of David Warner on the third night might well have led to a resurgent England gaining a much-needed victory. In a naive failure to grasp the importance of psychologically crucial moments that occur in Test cricket, Root refrained from setting Australia that stiff challenge and a wonderful opportunity was squandered.

Yet again it was Warner and the indomitable Steve Smith who rescued Australia after another top-order wobble. In the end Warner wasted a chance to become the first batsman to four times make a century in each innings of a Test match. Smith as usual, was the immovable object in scoring yet another century; this one had a defiant “You ain’t beating us” air about it.

Despite some progress on the batting front the fight for a draw at the MCG once again drew attention to Australia’s heavy reliance on Smith and Warner.

The failure of Cameron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja to capitalise on their opportunities at the MCG has brought into question their future in the Australian side.

Khawaja has endured a difficult series.

Bancroft has shown enough ability to earn the selectors’ patience but he needs to start converting promise into production. Like all batsmen he has a hole in his technique and his defence requires some remedial work. He has a reputation for the hard work required to adjust to the challenges presented in facing international bowlers.

Khawaja on the other hand has hovered on the periphery of permanence in a chequered career. His biggest problem is being a number three batsman who often excels at home but is regularly omitted overseas. Australia needs a permanent fixture at first drop no matter where the contest is played. They also need a player capable of establishing his authority in the early part of the innings and Khawaja has not proven he is that batsman.

So what are the alternatives?

The selectors could decide to send a message to Khawaja by promoting the in-form Shaun Marsh to number three for the SCG Test. This would effectively let Khawaja know he’s first in line to lose his spot if there’s going to be a shake up.

However, because of the unbalanced nature of the schedule, which leaves potential replacements playing Big Bash cricket instead of the Sheffield Shield competition, it’s difficult to omit Khawaja for the SCG match.

SLAMMED: Both teams hammer MCG pitch

RATINGS: Who starred, who struggled?

The choices for the tour of South Africa could be the return of Matthew Renshaw — if he finishes the Shield season strongly — or the resurrection of Peter Handscomb.

If Renshaw does regain top form he could then open the innings and Bancroft, who has shown glimpses of an ability to dictate terms, could slot in at number three. If the choice is Handscomb, then Marsh is capable of handling three, with the Victorian regaining his middle-order spot.

Nevertheless, Australia’s immediate challenge is to re-establish superiority after England exposed some chinks on an MCG pitch that didn’t do much for the enhancement of Test cricket. Attritional cricket matches can be absorbing if they lead to a nailbiting finish but a tame draw doesn’t help a format badly in need of an image boost.

Despite England’s resurgence they have some passengers and their selection for the SCG Test will be eagerly anticipated.

In Australia’s case news of Starc’s return to fitness will have the biggest impact. The intimidating presence his swing and bounce provides should be enough to see Australia not only in the ascendancy again at the SCG but also ready for what will be a challenging tour of South Africa.

Originally published as Mitchell Starc’s absence from the Boxing Day Test proved his value to Australian cricket