Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc expressed astonishment at the unexpected drop in pace exhibited by the Pakistani bowlers during the first Test in Perth, where the home side clinched a convincing 360-run victory, leading the three-match series 1-0.
Known for their formidable pace attack, Pakistan struggled to trouble the Australian batters in the initial encounter.
Starc, addressing the media at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) ahead of the second Test, remarked on the surprising slower pace of the Pakistani bowlers, especially considering the traditional speedsters reaching speeds in the 150s [kph].
"I think everyone was slightly surprised at the slower pace of the Pakistan bowlers when you're generally used to some guys getting in the 150s [kph]. I don't think that pace is the be-all and end-all, but it certainly plays a part and can help," Starc stated.
However, the seasoned Australian left-arm pacer highlighted that pace alone is not the sole determining factor for success in bowling. Starc cited the example of his fellow teammate, Scott Boland, who may not consistently bowl at maximum pace but effectively troubles batters with precise line and length.
"Case in point, you look at Scotty Boland who can bowl good wheels, but he's not at your top end of pace bowlers. But he generates a lot of sideways movement here in Melbourne, obviously being his home ground. He's done it for a long time, and we saw that obviously against England, where every ball he bowled could have been a wicket. So I don't think that pace is the be-all and end-all. Certainly, for our attack, we all complement each other really well by doing things very differently," Starc emphasized.
As the second Test at the MCG approaches, both teams are gearing up for a crucial encounter. Starc's observations add an intriguing dimension to the upcoming match, shedding light on the evolving dynamics of modern fast bowling.
