Ashes different from Border-Gavaskar Test series, says Mithcell Starc

Sydney: Australian paceman Mitchell Starc has said that the Ashes will be very different from the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Test series, adding that critics are wasting their time reading too much into the challenges the Australian team faced in India.

Stating that the conditions in India and England are as different as a vindaloo curry and cold pork pie, the injured Starc said that using the 4-0 series loss in India as a gauge to how the Ashes tour would pan out would be wrong. The 23-year-old left-armer predicted that the playing conditions in England will be kinder on the Australians than in India, adding that in India, the wickets are flat and slow without any grass, which are meant to favour the Indian spinners. Starc, who has taken 30 wickets in nine Tests, further said that the conditions are different in England as whatever the season, there will be a lot more grass and seam movement than in India, adding that the Duke ball will also swing. Starc also said that for fast bowlers, even if the Australian quicks get a flat wicket in England, it will feel like a green seamer to them after coming from India, adding that although the Ashes will be a tough tour, the Australians will have a much more comfortable time than in India. Meanwhile, Starc, who played for Yorkshire during the last English County season, said that while he did not play as much ``red ball` cricket as he might have liked during his stint at Headingley, he was at least set to increase his training after being sidelined following the surgery on his right ankle. ANI