Twenty20 series: Australia aiming to send England home 'with their tails between their legs' ahead of final match Down Under

Mitchell Starc admits that even though they have secured victory in the Test, ODI and Twenty20 series, they want to finish with one last win in Sydney on Sunday

Matt Somerford
Saturday 01 February 2014 13:51 GMT
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Australia bowler Mitchell Starc is aiming for one last flourish against England
Australia bowler Mitchell Starc is aiming for one last flourish against England

Australia quick Mitchell Starc wants to send England home “with their tails between their legs” ahead of Sunday's third Twenty20 international in Sydney.

Australia confirmed their dominance over England in all three formats in Melbourne on Friday night with a crushing eight-wicket win.

That has rendered England's final game of a miserable three-month tour a dead rubber at ANZ Stadium.

Starc, however, has warned there will be no let-up from the hosts, as they aim for a 12th win in 13 games against their oldest rival this winter.

"We're going to give them nothing," Starc said.

"There's no reason why we should let them leave the country with a win, and it's another chance for all the boys to show what we've got and really dominate England again.

"It's another chance to clean-sweep England in another series, so we're not going to be letting off.

"One more game until they get on that plane and I'm sure all of them are looking forward to that flight home, but we're going to rub it in hopefully and we're looking for another whitewash.

"I'm sure it's been a long few months for a few of them and we're not letting off, we're going to make sure we send them home with their tails between their legs."

Starc has added motivation to impress on Sunday as he looks to force his way into the World Twenty20 squad.

The 24-year-old made a return from a back injury at the MCG on Friday, after being sidelined since the summer tour of England.

Starc made an impressive return in Melbourne and Australia hope he can quickly rediscover the form that made him the third-highest wicket-taker at the 2012 World Twenty20.

Breaking back into the shortest format is his primary objective, after injury ruled him out of contention for the Test tour of South Africa.

"[Test selection] hasn't come into my mind," said Starc, who will also play in the semi-finals of the Big Bash League with the Sydney Sixers next week.

"There's no Tests after South Africa (until October) so, for me, it's focusing on that white ball and white-ball skills.

"I've still got a chance to go over to the World Twenty20. I'm not too worried about anything down the track from there.

"Hopefully, if I get a run on Sunday night I'll bowl well again and then looking forward to that semi-final against Perth Scorchers."

While Starc has been out of the Australia team, he has seen fellow left-armer Mitchell Johnson roar back to form.

Starc was preferred to Johnson in England, but there is little doubt he is now second choice.

Johnson took 37 wickets in the Ashes, as he bowled with pace and aggression to win the man-of-the-series award.

Rather than feel like he has slipped down the pecking order, Starc, who has played 12 Tests, thinks Johnson has provided him with the blueprint for success on the international stage.

"I've learnt a lot from Mitch over the years," he said.

"Bowling with a very high amount of aggression towards batsman - it was great to watch him go, and there's a lot to learn from his temperament and how he's come back from tough times."

PA

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