ODI tri-series: Starc expects Australia, India to renew rivalry

The 24-year-old was the pick of the bowlers in the win against England

MELBOURNE: Left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc said he expects Australia's tri-series one-dayer with India in Melbourne on Sunday to continue where the recent niggling Test series left off.

Starc was the chief destroyer in the opening game of the series against England on Friday, finishing with figures of 4-42 in Australia's bonus point three-wicket victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

He ripped through the tourists' top order with two wickets in the opening over of the match on his way to being named man of the match.

The 24-year-old left-arm quick was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council during the fourth Test in Sydney for his exaggerated send-off in the face of Murali Vijay after dismissing the opener.

It was one of several flashpoints from both sides in a highly-competitive series won 2-0 by Australia, and Starc has predicted another tough battle between the top two ranked sides in one-day standings.

"It was a pretty intense Test series," Starc told reporters. "Two great teams going hard at it and it will be much the same on Sunday [today]. There will be two sets of guys trying to play their best for their countries. It was a fantastic Test series to watch and to be a part of and it will be no different on Sunday [today]."

Starc's four wickets against England took him past the 50 mark in his 29th ODI and he now averages an impressive 21.58 with the white ball.

He was publicly criticised by Test spin great and now television commentator Shane Warne during the India Test series and he admits he needs to transfer his one-day form to Test matches more consistently.

"I think in recent times I know my one-day and T20 game and know what I need to do for the team," he said. “I guess it comes back to that confidence thing and I showed against England why I like to be taking the new ball.

"But I want to play as often as I can for Australia and if I keep bowling fast I know I can take wickets in all forms of the game."

Ballance fractures finger, fit for World Cup

England batsman Gary Ballance fractured the little finger on his right hand during fielding practice in Canberra last week but will be fit for the World Cup, announced the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Saturday.

He will remain with the team for the ongoing Tri-series against Australia and India and no extra players will be called up.

"Gary Ballance has a fractured right little finger, sustained during fielding practice in Canberra," the ECB said in a statement. "Ballance will be available for the ICC Cricket World Cup and therefore we will not be calling another player into the squad."

 

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