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Mitchell Starc's absence shall have huge bearing on India-Australia Test series outcome: Michael Clarke

Mitchell Starc's Absence Due To A Foot Injury Will Have A Huge Bearing On The Final Outcome Of The Four-Test Series Against India, Feels Former Australia Captain Michael Clarke.

PTI | Updated on: 10 Mar 2017, 05:30:00 PM
Mitchell Starc - File Photo (getty)

New Delhi:

Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc's absence due to a foot injury will have a huge bearing on the final outcome of the four-Test series against India, feels former Australia captain Michael Clarke.

Starc has been ruled out of the remaining two Tests after suffering a stress fracture in his right foot on Friday.

"It will have a huge impact. Mitchell Starc is that X-factor for the Australian team. I think he will certainly be missed. Who they bring is I am not sure but it makes the game even tougher for Australia," Clarke told reporters on the sidelines of a CRY event for underprivileged kids here.
However Clarke is confident that Australia can still win the series from here on.

"But Australia will still be confident that they can win in these conditions. They won in Pune and now can be confident thay can still win in Ranchi."
While he didn't take any specific questions of the DRS controversy, Clarke termed Virat Kohli's aggression as one of his greatest strengths.
He finds no reason why India captain shouldn't continue to play hard on the field in order to achieve success for his side.

"Virat's aggression is one of his greatest strenghts. That's the way he likes to play, that's the way he had success and I am sure that's the way he will continue to play," Clarke said.

Another Australian legend Steve Waugh is a fan of Kohli's aggression, but feels the Indian captain needs to tone down a bit while on the field.

Asked Clarke about Waugh's comments, he said: "Everybody have their own opinion. I think at the moment Virat is gonnado whatever he can to help India have success.

They had anazaming summer. They played some unbelievable cricket andAustralia know India is always tough in the backyard. Viratenjoys that challenge. He knows how this Indian team playtheir best, hence they have been rewarded in the past fewmonths."     Clarke said the ongoing series is no different from anyother "competitive" India-Australia rubber.

"It's a fantastic series. Test cricket between India andAustralia is always competitive and I love that.     "I am really happy that this series is being socompetitive.

Whether the series is being played in Australiaor India, we always see good competitive cricket and thisseries is no different," he said.     Clarke was also full of praise for Australian spin duo ofNathan Lyon and Steve O'Keefe, who left their mark in thefirst two Tests.     "The way Nathan Lyon and O'Keefe bowled has been exceptional.

They have really enjoyed these conditions. Theydeserve a lot of credit for their preparation. They trainedreally hard, spent a lot of time speaking to people about howbest to bowl in India. I think together they have done awonderful job," he said.     

The former Aussie skipper feels it has been tough forbatsmen of both sides so far in the series.     "I think both the teams have found it difficult to bat because the wickets have been tough. The bowl spun a lot andthe bounce have been inconsistent," Clarke signed off. 

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First Published : 10 Mar 2017, 05:15:00 PM

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