Courtesy: Cricket Australia
If the entire game of cricket is some sort of magic, then it could be argued that in Mitchell Starc, the sport has a one-of-a-kind sorcerer. He is ageing like fine wine and is, more often than not, always up for a great challenge. A cricketer you don't sledge but respect, Starc has collected no fewer than 384 Test match wickets and hence, is in sitting distance of a huge Test cricket milestone.
It's one that he truly deserves. Even in the ongoing contest at Lord's where legends like Nathan Lyon haven't really been able to assert themselves in order to push the contest towards his mighty Australian team, seeing Starc is a respite of sorts.
Tireless, aggressive, focused and selfless as ever, on the whole, he's picked 4 wickets as of now. Important to remember that in the first inning itself, it was none other than Mitch Starc who removed the potent South African top order getting that big wicket of Aiden Markram, a batter who matters so much for his roaring team.
And when the runs were sought urgently, Starc, the batter, turned up for Australia's cause. In the context of the game, it ought to be asked that just how valuable was the blazing left arm seamer's contribution with the willow?
Making 58 runs off 136 deliveries and still managing to remain unbeaten until the end, Starc was, irrespective of the outcome of this WTC grand finale, be always regarded for the efforts he put in order to ensure that his country make a fight of this celebrated cricket event.
What are your thoughts?
As a matter of fact, over the years, Mitchell Starc, a symbol of relentless consistency for Australia has always been a huge performer where it comes to the game's much respected format and his numbers against two mega forces deserve your time.
Mitchell Starc's Test numbers in England
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Matches In England
15 Tests
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Wickets
62 |
Best bowling Performance
6 for 111 at Trent Bridge (2015) |
5-for's and 10-for's
3 |
Most memorable spell
Although Starc has three fifers in England, which have together accounted for 16 of his 62 wickets in England, back in 2015, in his prime, he was unplayable at Trent Bridge |
Mitchell Starc's numbers vs South Africa in Tests
Having said the above, the very team against whom he is currently locked in for a close battle, this being none other than the final of the World Test Championship cycle sees Mitchell Starc in great touch. Even though, the one at Lord's might be the final, hence, a one-off contest, it's thanks to Starc's sorecery with the red ball that the Proteas have been challenged, if only a little, where it stands at the moment.
Starc has already picked each of the two wickets that fell in South Africa's batting line up, including the big wicket of Ryan Rickelton first up and later, Wiaan Mulder, the right hander making a useful 27 for his team.
But on the whole, Starc's been quite a star for Australia, as per normal where it comes to locking horns against South Africa.
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Tests v South Africa
10 games
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Wickets
44 wickets |
5-fer's and 10-fer's
2 five wicket hauls |
Best bowling spell
At the Waca, circa 2012, a much younger looking left arm seamer struck vital blows to the Proteas batting unit in his brilliant 6 for 154, that included the huge wickets of the "Big 3"- Kallis, AB de Villiers and Smith |
