Starc says Australia players upset at Ashes opener’s move from ‘Gabbatoir’ to Perth

Mitchell Starc said of Perth Stadium: ‘It’s swirly wind here, not one direction. You can have three directions each over.’ Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Mitchell Starc has admitted that Australia’s players are upset at the decision to shift the opening Ashes Test from its traditional home of Brisbane’s Gabba – nicknamed “the Gabbatoir” because of its reputation as the graveyard of touring sides, and a ground where England have won just two of their last 20 games dating back to 1946 – to Perth Stadium.

Asked whether his side could expect to enjoy a similar advantage at the first Test’s new venue, Starc said: “We’ll find out in a week, won’t we? They don’t listen to the players, we would have liked to start in Brisbane, too.”