Australia vs Pakistan: Mitchell Starc will need to do something special to play first Test, says Ricky Ponting

Melbourne: Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting believes that Mitchell Starc will need to do something special to find a place in the playing XI for the upcoming first Test against Pakistan. [caption id=“attachment_4412233” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Australia pacer Mitchell Starc. Reuters[/caption] In the Ashes, Starc played just one match for the team from Down Under and managed to take six wickets. “I absolutely love everything that Mitchell Starc brings to the table. But at the same time, they have been reluctant to play him in the last few series. He only played the one Ashes Test match and he did okay in that game,” cricket.com.au quoted Ponting as saying. “I think Starc will have to do something pretty special at training to be a part of that team,” he added. As Australia is slated to take on Pakistan at the Gabba in Brisbane for the first Test, Ponting brought up James Pattinson’s record at the stadium and said it will go in his favour when it comes to selection. “Pattinson’s got a good record in Brisbane as well. That’s the other thing that might go in his favour. At a place where the ball does swing a bit, he generally pitches it up and takes it away from the right-handers,” he said. “The reluctance to play Starc in the past has been that he has generally leaked runs,” he added. The 44-year-old also hailed Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins for not leaking runs and being outstanding for a consistent period. “What we know with Hazlewood and Cummins is they are not leaking runs and they have been outstanding for a long time now. Not only are they getting guys out, but they are making it harder to score as well,” Ponting said. Australia and Pakistan will play two Tests against each other and the second match of the series would be a day-night Test at Adelaide. Australia squad for Test series against Pakistan- Tim Paine (captain), Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.