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Mitchell Starc, Australia’s left-arm speedster, found himself in an unfortunate record-breaking position during the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket ODI World Cup 2023.
Mitchell Starc’s unwanted record in World Cup 2023
In the high-stakes encounter against the formidable New Zealand team at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, Starc etched his name in the history books for conceding the most runs by an Australian bowler in a World Cup match.
The 33-year-old pacer returned with figures of none for 89 from his allotted nine overs as the New Zealand batters took advantage of the conditions, consistently finding gaps and boundaries. Despite this individual record, the Australian team managed to successfully defend their mammoth score of 388 by just five runs in a thrilling encounter that showcased the unpredictability of the game.
Starc’s impressive World Cup streak comes to an end
Starc’s unwanted record in the recent World cup game was a rare misstep in an otherwise impressive career in the quadrennial event. Before this game, he had maintained an extraordinary streak of taking at least one wicket in 23 consecutive ODIs in the World Cup, dating back to the 2015 edition. However, during this high-scoring encounter against New Zealand, Starc’s streak was broken as he remained wicketless.
Despite this temporary setback, Starc’s contribution to Australia’s World Cup campaigns has been noteworthy. He holds the distinction of being the third-highest wicket-taker in ODI World Cup history, amassing a tally of 56 wickets that includes three five-wicket hauls. This underscores his consistency and significant impact on the grandest stage of ODI cricket. Despite the challenges faced during this game, Starc’s journey in the World Cup exemplifies his status as one of the premier performers in the tournament’s history.
Also WATCH: Mitchell Starc plucks a blinder to dismiss Devon Conway during AUS vs NZ match
Australia’s victorious defense
While Starc’s performance with the ball during this fixture was one he would prefer to forget, the overall result turned out to be in Australia’s favor. The five-run victory was a testament to the team’s collective effort, even when one of their leading bowlers faced a difficult day. Australia’s batters, led by Travis Head and David Warner, played significant roles in posting a challenging target. Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins played quickfire knocks to take the Aussie score to 388. This resilience highlighted the depth of Australia’s batting and their ability to bounce back despite the challenges they faced, a quality that often separates the best teams from the rest.
Most expensive returns for Australia in World Cups
- 0/89 (9) – Mitchell Starc vs NZ, Dharamsala, 2023
- 1/74 (10) – Mitchell Starc vs IND, The Oval, 2019
- 3/74 (10) – Adam Zampa vs NZ, Dharamsala, 2023
- 1/72 (12) – Ashley Mallett vs SL, The Oval, 1975