Mumbai: Australian cricketer, Mitchell Starc revealed worth noting statements about the ex-Australian coach and current Pakistani coach – Mickey Arthur. The narratives escalated their worth as they came just a few days before the commencement of three-Test series, at Brisbane on Thursday.
Starc believes that Australia has evolved as much “closer” team since former head coach Arthur, on the eve of the 2013 Ashes in England was sacked abruptly and Darren Lehmann was installed as his replacement. “I didn’t have too much time with him … he obviously had his different theories,” Starc told local media in Brisbane on Sunday.
“He was a nice guy. Our team has changed immensely since he’s been put out of the job … we’re a lot closer. “Boof’s (Lehmann) obviously brought his own coaching theories and concepts. “The group has obviously changed personnel-wise as well, so we’ve developed massively as a squad since the time of Mickey Arthur, and I think all for the better,” he added.
Australia has lost five of their last six Tests to put Lehmann under pressure, but Starc said the straight-talking former test batsman was the right man to guide a rebuilding team which blooded four debutants in their last match against South Africa.
“(Arthur) probably rode the game a little bit more and I think at times found it hard to watch,” Starc said of the South Africa’s coaching. “Whereas Boof instils a lot of confidence in you. He’s got that laid-back, old-school attitude but doesn’t sugar-coat anything.
“That’s what this young group needs as well … some hard truths sometimes.”
At Brisbane, five years ago, Starc and Arthur made their Australia Test debuts together, Starc as a player and Arthur as coach. Now, both are back at the Gabba however this time around they will be on opposite sides and not part of the same team.
(With inputs from Reuters)