Mitchell Starc, the Australian paceman, has called on curators ahead of the Ashes Series 2025‑26 against the England national cricket team to prepare lively, bowler-friendly pitches rather than flat surfaces designed to stretch matches to five days for revenue purposes.

Starc referenced his return to first-class cricket, noting he had taken four wickets for the New South Wales cricket team on a sluggish surface at the Sydney Cricket Ground, one he said would have played right into the England batters’ hands.

He added, “I hope the groundsmen stick to their guns and prepare the wickets they want. If we are worried about five days of revenue, then there are bigger problems at hand.”

Starc pointed to Australia’s recent 3-1 home series win over the India team as one played on surfaces that o

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