Starc confident of keeping Oz Ashes hopes alive with 'X-factor' left-arm swing

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has said that he is confident that he will be able to help keep Australia alive in the Ashes with his left-arm swing, ahead of the third Test at Old Trafford starting on Thursday.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Starc, who was the opening bowler in the first innings of the first Test at Trent Bridge, did not take his first wicket until the 58th over mark, after struggling to get the most out of the new ball, although he improved that in the second innings.

The report further said that after being dropped for the Lord's Test, Starc again took time to find his rhythm in the drawn tour match against Sussex at Hove.

Believing that his point of difference with the left-arm can help Australia in the must-win third Test, Starc, who is in a two-way battle with Jackson Bird to fill the final position in the pace attack, is confident that he has the necessary X-factor to earn a recall for Manchester.

Starc further said that he has got the point of difference with the left-arm, adding that a bowler needed to do whatever he can to take wickets and perform in the game.

However, Starc admitted that it took him, Jackson Bird and James Faulkner a while to control the swinging Dukes ball at Hove, saying that the ball swung more at Hove than the last few times they had with the Dukes ball, although he added that a bowler should be hitting his target once he adjusts his lines and gets a few overs under his belt.

Starc also said that it was a positive to have got the ball swinging for the full 100 overs of the Sussex innings, however, the report said that the Australian bowlers would have been disappointed they could not knock their county opponents over.

Although Starc has been left out of marquee Tests at the MCG on Boxing Day and an Ashes Test at Lord's over the past eight months, he said that he holds no bitterness and is motivated by the belief that the ball has been coming out nicely for him all tour.