There are still three months before the first Test of a five-match series between India and Australia gets underway but there’s significant buzz already around the highly anticipated tour. India have maintained a stranglehold over the Border Gavaskar Trophy for nearly seven years having won the previous four series including two on Australian shores.
For the first time since 1991-92, the series between the two rivals will be a five-Test affair and left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc feels that the contest is now on par with the Ashes.
“Being five matches now it’s probably right on par with an Ashes series,” Starc told Wide World of Sports.
Australia are currently world’s top-ranked Test team and holders of the ICC World Test Championship which they won by beating second-ranked India in the final last year.
Australia last won BGT when India toured the country in 2014-15 and since then, they have been unable to lay their hands on the trophy.
Starc, who has taken 48 wickets in 18 Tests against India, is hopeful of a different result this time around.
“We always want to win every game at home and we know India are a very strong team,” Starc said. “As we’re placed at the minute we’re the top two teams on the Test ladder… so a very exciting series coming up for the fans and certainly the players. Hopefully when we’re sitting there on the 8th of January we have that trophy back on our shores.”
“…every time I get to wear the baggy green cap it feels very special. Hopefully it’s five times through the summer with five wins and we can sing that song five times, then we move on from there,” he added.
Starc will next be in action during Australia’s white-ball tour of UK but for him Test cricket continues to be the top priority. He is just 11 Tests away from reaching the milestone of 100 matches for Australia.
“If it does come to a point where I’m lucky enough to get past that 100 number then it’s obviously going to be pretty special as well,” he said.
“The Tests will always be taking precedence for me,” he added.
From the UK tour, Pat Cummins has been given a rest who will use the break to work on his fitness as he gears up for the India Tests.
“Pat is resting for this UK tour… we love playing all three formats but that could look different at different times over 12 months,” Starc said.
“There is certainly no end date on (our bowling careers). That will be an ongoing one. We’ll see where (our) bodies are and the want to keep going, but at this stage it’s all guns blazing for five Tests against India,” he added.
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