“I cop it in the nets most days and I still haven’t combatted it, so for blokes that don’t get to face him all that often, and don’t get to face blokes that bowl 150km/h and swing it, there’s not really much you can do to prevent that”.
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When the two Mitchells – Starc and Johnson – got their line and lengths sorted, they showed what a lethal strikeforce they are as they broke NZ’s first innings resistance with four wickets in 25 balls.
Craig defended a delivery back to Starc, who hurled it in the direction of the batsman.
“I thought it was pretty disappointing”, the captain told a news conference.
The former wrist spinner agreed that Starc shouldn’t have thrown the ball at Craig in frustration at a time when the Aussies only needed one wicket to wrap up the Test, but says bowlers need to be given a few slack when it comes to showing aggression.
Earlier this year, Starc was reprimanded by the global Cricket Council (ICC) after a send-off of India’s Murali Vijay at the SCG.
Compounding Starc s frustration was that the throw went for four needless overthrows, which did not amuse Australian skipper Steve Smith.
“I don’t think he needs to apologise, I just don’t think he needs to do it in the future”. I don’t think it was necessary at the time.
Smith’s approach was different at Lord’s earlier this year, when England’s Ben Stokes was given out obstructing the field in a one-day worldwide.
MacGill said that although Starc should not have thrown the ball, anger is a part of a sport, news.com.au reported.
Australia and New Zealand’s second Test, in Perth, is live on Sky Sports 2 from 2.30am on Friday morning. “If that was the case and it just slipped out then so be it, we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt”.
“We’ll give him the benefit of the doubt there”.
“I’m sure we’ll find out when we have a beer with them in the changing room”.
“I don’t think he needs to apologize”, Smith said.
As Starc admitted to the offence, Roshan Mahanama, the match referee, levied the fine without the need for a formal hearing.
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Smith said the new-ball bowling wasn’t on the right length at the Gabba, but was generally impressed with the bowlers in the series-opening match and expected improvement at the WACA for the second test in Perth, where the pitch usually offers good pace and bounce.
