Border Gavaskar Trophy on par with Ashes: Starc

Sydney: Australia pace ace Mitchell Starc believes that with the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India becoming a five-Test affair for the first time in over three decades, it would be "right on par" with the esteemed Ashes series for his team. The marquee series between India and Australia, set to begin in November, was extended by a match this year for the first time since the 1991-92 season.

"Being five matches now it's probably right on par with an Ashes series," Starc tsaid. Since 2014-15, Australia have failed to lay their hands on the Border Gavsakar Trophy, with India winning four consecutive series including the historic triumphs Down Under in 2018-19 and 2020-21. Starc is not only intent on reversing this trend but also harbours aspirations of a clean sweep, particularly as the series forms a crucial part of the World Test Championship. "We always want to win every game at home and we know India are a very strong team," he said.

Currently, India leads the World Test Championships table with Australia in second place. "As we're placed at the minute we're the top two teams on the Test ladder... so a very exciting series is coming up for the fans and certainly the players.

"Hopefully when we're sitting there on the 8th of January we have that trophy back on our shores." The 34-year-old is just 11 matches shy of reaching a milestone of 100 Tests and has no plans to quit red-ball cricket.