Cricket-Australia keep faith in expensive Starc's wicket-taking ability

Cricket - ICC World Test Championship Final - Australia v India - The Oval, London, Britain - June 8, 2023 Australia's Mitchell Starc celebrates after taking the wicket of India's Virat Kohli Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

LONDON (Reuters) - Mitchell Starc may have leaked runs in the World Test Championship final against India but his wicket-taking ability is crucial to the balance of the Australia pace attack heading into the Ashes series against England, coach Andrew McDonald said on Monday.

The left-arm quick claimed four wickets but went for 5.34 runs an over - the most expensive performance in his 78-test career - at The Oval in London, where Australia triumphed by 209 runs with Scott Boland impressing the most among the Australian seamers.