Name:
Mitchell Starc
Born:
January 30, 1990
Baulkham Hills, Sydney, New South Wales
Age:
33 years 291 days
Teams:
Australia, New South Wales, Sydney Sixers, Yorkshire, Australians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sydney Thunder, Kolkata Knight Riders, Australia A, Finch XI
Nickname:
Starc
Bat Style:
Left Handed Bat
Bowl Style:
Left-arm fast
Profile:
Mitchell Starc, a name that instills fear in today's batsmen, has come a long way from his days as an aspiring wicketkeeper in junior cricket in Sydney. The legend goes that at the age of 14, a tall and skinny Starc, initially trying out as a wicketkeeper for Western Suburbs, was spotted by a club coach. This coach, Neil D'Costa, convinced him to ditch the wicketkeeping mitts and taught him the art of bowling. This approach, reminiscent of the AFL's strategy of scouting a specific body type for skill development, proved effective in harnessing Starc's potential.
Starc swiftly embraced fast bowling, learning the basics from D'Costa and reaching a speed of 135km/h by the age of 16. His athleticism, discipline, and keen desire for knowledge set him apart. Selected for the New South Wales U-17s, he progressed through the ranks, making his Sheffield Shield debut at 19.
While early Shield performances were modest, his breakthrough came in the domestic One-Day tournament, where he excelled with 26 wickets in 6 matches at an astonishing average of 8.12. This marked a turning point, propelling Starc into national selection consideration.
Named as a backup for a Test series in India in late 2010 at the age of 20, Starc had to bide his time before finally receiving the Baggy Green in late 2011. His debut Test was challenging, but he showed improvement in subsequent matches. To enhance his skills, Starc ventured to England for county cricket, returning as a more polished and versatile bowler.
Back in international cricket, Starc's prowess became evident with three 5-wicket hauls against the West Indies and Pakistan in early 2014, securing his place in the ODI side. Despite facing injuries in Tests during the 2013/14 season, Starc's determination led to a remarkable transformation. Encouraged by Shane Warne's comments, he evolved into a more intense and effective bowler.
The Carlton tri-series before the 2015 World Cup served as a trial run, indicating Starc's potential. The World Cup itself became a fairy tale for him, finishing as the highest wicket-taker and securing the Man of the Tournament award. This success solidified his position as Australia's spearhead in all formats.
Post-World Cup, Starc prioritized international duties over the IPL in 2014. In 2015, he broke the 160km/h barrier and emerged as the highest international wicket-taker of the year. Despite battling injuries, Starc continued to impress, displaying overseas excellence in the 2016 Test series in Sri Lanka and the closely contested 2015 Ashes.
Starc's commitment to national duties was evident when he parted ways with the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2017. His feats in the lead-up to the 2017/18 Ashes, including two hat-tricks in a Sheffield Shield match, further cemented his legacy.
In the 2019 World Cup, Starc set a record with 27 wickets, but his subsequent Ashes appearances were limited. Returning to form in the 2021-22 Ashes, he excelled with both ball and bat, ending the 2023 edition as the leading wicket-taker.
Despite intermittent injuries, Starc remains a crucial part of Australia's squads. As he prepares for the 2023 Cricket World Cup, his express-pace bowling has already secured his place among Australia's greatest fast bowlers.
Notable facts about Starc include his Slovenian descent, his brother Brandon's participation in the Rio Olympics, Starc's heart-breaking dismissal for 99 in Mohali in 2013, and his marriage to Alyssa Healy, the Australian women's team wicketkeeper and Ian Healy's niece.
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