Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc believes the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India will feature five Test matches for the first time in three decades, making the series as important for his team as the prestigious Ashes.
In fact, in the important series starting between India and Australia in November, five Test matches will be played for the first time since 1991-92. Starc told Wide World of Sports, ‘This time it will be a five-match series, which has made it as important as the Ashes series.’
AUS has not won this series since 2014-15
Australia has not won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 2014-15, while India has won four consecutive series during this period. India defeated Australia on its soil twice during this period in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
Starc not only intends to win the series but also wants his team to clean sweep it, especially since the series is part of the World Test Championship.
He said, ‘We want to win every match on our home ground and we also know that the Indian team is very strong.’ India is currently at the top of the World Test Championship table, while Australia is at the second position.
‘…The trophy will be in our hands on January 8’
Starc said, ‘India and Australia are currently at the top of the Test rankings. So it is going to be a very exciting series for the fans and of course the players. Hopefully the trophy will be in our hands on January 8.’
Starc is only 11 matches away from playing 100 Test matches and the left-arm fast bowler has no intention of retiring from the long format yet. 34-year-old Starc has taken 358 wickets in 89 Tests so far.
He said, ‘Whenever I get a chance to wear the baggy green cap, it feels very special. Hopefully, we will be able to win all five Test matches in the summer season. As far as playing 100 Test matches is concerned, it will definitely be very special.’
Starc will travel to England next month for a limited-overs series and will then play domestic cricket for New South Wales in preparation for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Preparing for the series against India
He said, ‘Test cricket has always been a priority for me. We have to play 7 Test matches in the upcoming season. Out of these, 5 will be against India and 2 against Sri Lanka. These matches are a priority for us. We are all currently preparing for the series against India.’
Indian team tour of Australia (November-January 2025)
– November 22-26: 1st Test, Perth
– December 6-10: 2nd Test, Adelaide
– December 14-18: 3rd Test, Brisbane
– December 26-30: 4th Test, Melbourne
– January 03-07: Fifth Test, Sydney