11 Oct Mitchell Starc : The Paceman
Mitchell Starc is indeed a renowned fast bowler in contemporary cricket, and his journey to becoming a cricketing sensation is quite fascinating. Starc’s transformation from a wicket-keeper to a fast bowler at a young age is a testament to his adaptability and dedication to the sport. Under the guidance of coach Neil D’Costa, he quickly grasped the fundamentals of fast bowling and began bowling at impressive speeds. His talent was evident early on, and he was selected for the New South Wales U-17 team, marking the beginning of his journey through the Australian cricket ranks. His potential as a fast bowler was recognised, and he continued to climb the ladder of Australian cricket. Mitchell Starc made his debut for the Australian national team and quickly established himself as the spearhead of the Australian bowling attack. His ability to swing the new ball and deliver lethal yorkers in the death overs made him a key asset for the team. The 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup was a significant milestone in Starc’s career. He emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament and played a pivotal role in Australia’s title triumph. His consistent performances with the ball were instrumental in Australia’s success.
While Starc eventually entered the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2014, he was lauded for prioritizing international cricket over franchise-based T20 leagues. This decision showcased his commitment to representing his country at the highest level. Starc’s ability to consistently bowl at speeds exceeding 160 km/h (99 mph) is a remarkable feat. His express pace and control made him a formidable force in the world of fast bowling. Starc’s ability to swing the ball both conventionally and reverse, coupled with his deadly yorkers, made him a complete fast bowler. He could trouble batsmen with his swing early on and deliver devastating yorkers at the death.
Starc’s success can be attributed not only to his athletic ability but also to his discipline, work ethic, and hunger for knowledge. He was known as a great listener and was open to continuous improvement.
Mitchell Starc’s journey from a young wicketkeeper to one of the most feared fast bowlers in contemporary cricket is a remarkable story of talent, dedication, and hard work. His contributions to Australian cricket, particularly in the 2015 World Cup, and his ability to consistently perform at the highest level have solidified his status as a cricketing legend.
STRENGTHS
Swing and movement : Starc can swing the ball into the right-handers and that too at express speed, which makes him a very difficult bowler to negotiate. On the other hand, he is a very intelligent customer as well and there is hardly any chance of taking a breather when he is bowling.
Deadly yorkers : One thing often does not get enough attention is Starc’s absolute mastery over the yorker and more often than not, those are quick in-swinging deliveries aimed at the base of the stumps. It is very difficult to get him away in the death overs and some of the best batsmen in the world have failed to take those yorkers on with any degree of success.
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