Aussie paceman Mitchell Starc has World Cup’s best-ever strike rate, but what is the secret?

Bangladesh were adamant they’re not scared of Australia’s fast bowlers — but Mitchell Starc will put their confidence to the test with some express as he shows off his historic skillset.

Australia's Mitchell Starc prepares to bowl during the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between Sri Lanka and Australia at The Oval in London on June 15, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

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Mitchell Starc attacks the stumps more than any other bowler in the world with his express pace set to test just how far Bangladesh has come against pace bowling on Thursday. 

An analysis of the Tigers’ batting has revealed that their average scores against pace have doubled this century.

While Bangladesh batsmen averaged just 16.9 runs per wicket against pace from 2000-04, that has steadily grown in every five-year window.

Australia's Mitchell Starc celebrates yet another wicket — this time against Sri Lanka. Picture: AFP

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Since 2015 they are averaging 32.2 runs per wicket against pace.

But Starc’s 13 wickets at this World Cup has boosted his strike-rate to 25.5 balls, which is No.1 in the history of ODI cricket.

Starc’s strike-rate ranks in front of Ajantha Mendis (27.3 balls), Brett Lee (29.4), Trent Boult (29.7), Saqlain Mushtaq (30.4) and Waqar Younis (30.5).

The key weapon for Starc has been his full delivery. No bowler in the CricViz database has bowled a higher proportion of full bowls than Starc.

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Since 2006 a whopping 49 per cent of Starc’s deliveries have been full, which means they pitch within 6m of the stumps.

“The yorker for me is one I've probably gone to more often than not in the past,” Starc, 29, said this month.

“So, whilst (batsmen) know it's coming, as long as I keep executing it, hopefully it's going to be better for me than them.”

Starc appeals for the wicket of Wahab Riaz against Pakistan. Picture: AP

Starc’s percentage of full, attacking deliveries has Lasith Malinga (43 per cent), Shaun Tait (42), Dwayne Bravo (41), Nathan Bracken (39) and David Willey (36) all covered.

Teammate Jason Behrendorff highlighted that two of Starc’s four wickets against Sri Lanka came as full balls smashed into the stumps.

“(He teaches) how important it is to bowl 145-150km,” Behrendorff said.

“He’s got great intent and he hits the stumps a lot.”

Starc’s only game against Bangladesh was played in England two years ago, when he took 4/29 8.3 overs), including the wicket of opener Tamim Iqbal.

Originally published as Aussie paceman Mitchell Starc has World Cup’s best-ever strike rate, but what is the secret?