Mitchell Starc is hoping to profit from Alastair Cook’s stuttering form against left armers when the Ashes series gets under way next week.
Australia have highlighted Cook as the key wicket in their pursuit of a first series victory in England for 12 years and Starc believes New Zealander Trent Boult’s recent success against England’s batsmen gives his side hope.
“As a group we have paid a lot of close attention to that New Zealand and England series,” said the 23-year-old Starc.
“For me and James Faulkner, being left armers, it was great to see a few of their guys struggle against the left-armers.
“But we’ll have to find a lot of different ways if things aren’t happening to get them out. We can’t just rest on his struggles against the left armers.
“It’s all about early wickets and being very aggressive against him being the captain of the side.”
Starc burst onto the scene last summer, claiming eight wickets against South Africa before a six-wicket haul against Sri Lanka at the WACA in Perth.
But the fast bowler has revealed he was carrying an injury at the time. “It was painful in India but I don’t have to worry about now,” he said.
“It has all gone. The last three weeks have been as good as I have felt in a long time. I’m happy with where my body is and where my bowling is.”
The five-Test Ashes series starts next Wednesday at Trent Bridge and moves on to Lord’s, Old Trafford, Durham and The Kia Oval.
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