Mitchell Starc has been in outstanding form in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. After picking up a four-wicket haul against England on Tuesday, Starc bagged a five-for against New Zealand on Saturday and demolished the Black Caps in Australia’s 86-run victory at Lord’s.
Chasing 244 to win, New Zealand seemed to be cruising as Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor made a half-century stand. But Starc returned to the attack and removed Williamson for 40 in the 26th over to bring Australia back into the game.
He then went on to dismiss Tom Latham, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, and Mitchell Santner to claim with his second five-wicket haul in the tournament- first one against the West Indies in Nottingham.
Earlier, Aaron Finch’s decision to bat first appeared to backfire as Trent Boult dismissed the in-form opener in the fifth over. The reigning champions lost four more wickets before reaching 100 but it could easily have been worse if Martin Guptill had not dropped Khawaja in the slips when the southpaw was yet to open his account.
Carey and Khawaja then rebuilt the Australian innings with a sixth-wicket stand of 107, which Williamson broke when he had Carey caught at cover.
Boult claimed the tournament’s second hat-trick after India’s Mohammed Shami achieved the feat against Afghanistan, but Australia had put enough runs on the board for their bowlers.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Another Solid win for the Aussies. Mitchell Starc becoming the first bowler to take 3 five wicket hauls in World Cup history and wonderful knocka from Khawaja and Carey. Looking forward to the #IndvEng game now
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 29, 2019
What a World Cup performer Mitchell Starc is ! And Alex Carey has proved why he is rated very highly by Australian greats. India and Australia have been the best two sides by some distance #AusvNZ
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 29, 2019
Awesome from Aust & continuing to find a way to win. Finch outstanding with his captaincy, a great partnership from Khawaja & Carey plus some class with the ball from Starc, Cummins, Dorf & Lyon. I think India is the only team that can challenge the Australians now #WorldCup2019
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) June 29, 2019
Starc the first bowler to take three World Cup five-wicket hauls, and six World Cup four-fors.
— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) June 29, 2019
Wow.. Let us digest this. Mitchell Starc is now the 6th highest wicket taker ever in World Cup History. This is his just his second tournament. He has played 16 matches and strikes once ever 3 overs!! Safe to say he is a WC GOAT!! #WC2019 pic.twitter.com/HtTvwSlmyv
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) June 29, 2019
👆 Usman Khawaja
👆 Mitchell Starc
👆 Jason BehrendorffTrent Boult becomes the first New Zealander to take a hat-trick in a Men's World Cup!#CWC19 pic.twitter.com/FyLyYG8aIY
— ICC (@ICC) June 29, 2019
24 wickets in 8 games at 15.54, Strike Rate of 18.5, 2 4-fers, 2 5-fers. Mitchell of the house Starc! Ideally he should have been a Targaryen, because he's a fire breathing dragon! 🔥 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uUak4ZbByE
— Srini Mama (@SriniMaama16) June 29, 2019
🔥 Welcome to the Limited-Overs Honours Boards, Mitchell Starc!
A superb performance by the @CricketAus bowler 👏#LoveLords#NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/ueN6d44J0u
— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) June 29, 2019
2️⃣4️⃣ – Mitchell Starc already has more wickets at #CWC19 than he took at #CWC15 (22), when he was leading wicket-taker and Player of the Tournament 🔥#CmonAussie pic.twitter.com/YJoVnfPma3
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 29, 2019
And another five-wicket haul for Mitchell Starc! #FLOAT pic.twitter.com/Ie8jo8BBIk
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 29, 2019
ICYMI: Trent Boult joined the World Cup hat-trick club 🙌 pic.twitter.com/YOfRfKDHcD
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 29, 2019
Trent Boult led-New Zealand pace attack restrict Australia to 243/9https://t.co/66MUJ0EQoQ#CWC19 #NZvAUS #AUSvNZ #TrentBoult pic.twitter.com/KStdbcKpUo
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 29, 2019