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Starc 'sets the tone' with new ball wickets

Sydney - Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has a habit of getting a wicket in the first over of his spell, usually the first of the match, and says he aims to 'set the tone' for the match in that over.

Starc removed Kusal Perera in the first over of Sri Lanka's innings on Sunday, and he went on to take two more wickets as the Aussies won the first ODI by three wickets.

He said of his new ball heroics: "We always talk about setting the tone, and more often than not I get the first over.

"So I want to try and set a good tone, and a wicket is the best way to do that.

"I'm not going to change the way I bowl, I'm going to be aggressive and try and bowl as fast as I can and take wickets.

"And having Josh (Hazlewood) at the other end allows me to do that because he can bowl so consistently and doesn't really go for many runs.

"So I think that allows me to bowl as fast as I can and as aggressively as I can. It’s something I do in all formats of cricket is try and take wickets often.

"If I can get one in the first over more often than not, I think we can get away to a good start."

Opening batsman Aaron Finch says it's always enjoyable to watch Starc bowl, and that the paceman is the best in the world right now, no matter the format.

Finch said: "It’s a lot more fun than facing him, I can tell you.

"Just the skills that he has - swing, pace, left-arm, yorkers, he can bowl good bouncers. It’s a pretty complete package.

"He’s been the best in the world for a number of years now and when he gets it right there’s absolutely no-one better around."

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