Starc compares Australia's daunting year to McIlroy's major sweep

Mitchell Starc, Australia's pace spearhead, has compared his team's upcoming year of challenging cricket tours to Rory McIlroy's rare feat of winning all four major golf championships in a single season. The Australian team begins their demanding 12-month schedule with a three-test series against South Africa in Durban, followed by tours of India and England next year, and the defense of their 2023 ODI World Cup title.

Starc emphasized the unusual nature of playing three marquee series away from home within a year, noting that two of these series - against England, India, and South Africa - are series the team has not won in a long time. The pressure on an older Australian team, with many core members now in their 30s, is further compounded by the narrative of facing these tough challenges.

Despite acknowledging the older roster, Starc remains optimistic, stating that the team is aware of the pressure and the importance of each series, but they still have ambitious goals and want to achieve as much as possible.