Perth, Jan 14: Fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who replaced spinner Nathan Lyon in the Australian squad for the third Test, pushed India on the back-foot in the second innings with the key wickets of Gautam Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar. At stumps on Day 2, the left-arm pacer said that Wasim Akram’s advice had helped him improve as a bowler and add to his repertoire.

Excerpts from his TV interview:

On the fast pace of the ongoing Test match

Yes, we are only at the end of Day 2 and we are midway through the third innings of the game. Hopefully, for Australia, we can get a couple of wickets early [on Day 3] and push to get through that tail.

On finding a place in the squad and his thoughts on getting two good wickets

I have been working on my game for the last couple of weeks with [Craig] McDermott and [have had] a chance [to chat with] with Wasim Akram as well. I have been working hard, trying to get my consistency right. The Australian team’s been going great in the last couple of Tests and we’ve pushed the momentum in this Test as well. So it’s a great sign for Australian cricket.

On whether he discussed the way he releases the ball, and his wrist movement, with Wasim Akram

Yes, there was a brief catch-up with Wasim. He is a genius with what he has done. He has been a great left-arm bowler. I had a bit of a chat with him about the wrist position and I’ve been trying to get that consistent swing coming back into the right-hand batsman and been working on the one that goes away. It was great to chat with him about some of his theories and reverse swing as well. Obviously, it’s paying off a bit as well. I’m getting a bit of swing out there, so it’s great.

On the conditions working in conjunction with good bowling to result in 14 wickets falling on Day 2

The Australian bowlers did a pretty good job, especially in the first innings. We stuck to our plans pretty well. There was a bit of grass on the wicket and now moving into Day 3 there are cracks on the wicket as well. The wicket has played a part but our plan has been pretty good [vis a vis] the Indian batsmen so far.