Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Monday, 1 July 2019 00:49 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Renuke Wijayawardhane
There’s only one man the Australian captain Aaron Finch needs to turn to in times of need. And, how often has Mitchell Starc done this for his side in this World Cup?
Firstly, the West Indiesneeded 38 off the last five overs, but in one over, Starc sealed the game by dismissing two dangerous players. Carlos Brathwaite miscued a slower full toss, only to be caught at mid-on. Then the skipper Jason Holder, who was on 52, hurriedly tried to pull the short ball and gloved it to short fine leg. Game over.
Against Bangladesh, Tamim Iqbal was on 62 when he dragged Starc’s short of length delivery to his stumps.
Next, Sri Lanka were cruising at 112 for no loss after 15 overs with Kusal Perera well set on 52. Then came Starc’s yorker which beat Perera’s attempted big slog.
Then there was Ben Stokes, who was set better than any of the other batsmen at 88, when he was castled by Starc’s in-swinging yorker in the 37th over. When you consider the context, Mitchell Starc’s famous delivery to Stokes might well be the ball of the tournament.
On Saturday, it was Kane Williamson, who was on 40 with New Zealand at 97 for two, chasing 244. Finch brings back his main weapon, and once again Starc delivers. A delivery that goes across the right-hander, the Kiwi skipper tries to run it down towards the third man by opening the face of the bat, but he only manages a fine edge straight to the wicket keeper. That was the defining moment of the match.
Sometimes an entire game can be summed up in one moment. That moment could even sum up the entire tournament, like Ben Stokes’ dismissal. It was Mitchell Starc who had always dismissed the key in-form batsman in crucial moments in his later spells.
Starc has now taken 24 wickets in this World Cup at an astonishing strike rate of 18.5. He has three five-wicket hauls in the World Cup tournaments so far. No bowler has taken more in the World Cup history. His overall World Cup tally stands at 46 wickets.
Australia’s top order has given them a substantial platform for big scores in most matches. However, the middle order has not clicked, and due to this, they have struggled to finish the innings well from commanding positions. This has been a consistent issue during Australia’s campaign so far, but the quality of their bowling, spearheaded by Mitchell Starc, has been more than adequate to compensate for it.
When your key batsmen are back in the pavilion in the first 15 overs any side would normally struggle. But not Australia. They continue to redefine the grit when the chips are down. When they were in trouble earlier-on, they have always found ways to claw their way back.
Against West Indies, Australia were reeling at 38 for four, and then five down for 79; but they completely recovered to notch up 288. Against New Zealand they had their backs against the wall at 92 for five,but still managed 243.
Australia are the new favourites for the World Cup now. They are peaking at the right time, as the business end approaches. More than anything else, the manner in which the Aussies are imposing themselves on every opponent, without ever really clicking, looks terrifying.
