Mitchell Starc’s Ashes workload heads Australia posers for Hobart closer | Geoff Lemon

Paceman is the most prolific bowler in day-night Tests but his aggressive action has led to his effectiveness waning later in series

Four down, one to go. Ashes series have a special quality that can make them feel both endless and over in an instant. The rushed nature of the schedule this time around has exacerbated this. There have been more playing days than non-playing days listed since the series began in Brisbane and that’s before we get to the final match in Hobart, a city making its debut as an Ashes host on Friday.

The hecticness is reflected in how many players have fallen by the wayside or are walking wounded into Bellerive Oval. Scott Boland wants to play despite hurting his ribs while falling over in Sydney. Mitchell Starc wants to play despite a four-Test workload. Jonny Bairstow wants to play despite nearly losing a thumb to Pat Cummins. Ben Stokes wants to play despite a side strain that had him grimacing every time he hit the ball out of the SCG.

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