Cricket World Cup: Mitchell Starc hoping to transfer extraordinary ODI form to Test arena
IT’S hard to believe the man dominating this World Cup like no one in history is the same Mitchell Starc labelled “soft” by Shane Warne at the start of the summer.
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IT’S hard to believe the man dominating this World Cup like no one in history is the same Mitchell Starc labelled “soft” by Shane Warne at the start of the summer.
But then again it’s difficult to fathom how the best fast bowler in one-day cricket was until 10 short years ago, a “chubby little wicketkeeper”.
Australia’s heir to Mitchell Johnson has stood up in incredible fashion over the past three months, and it’s all thanks to a junior coach who tapped Starc on the shoulder aged 15, and told him you either bowl or carry the drinks.
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It wasn’t just his sprouting height that was the catalyst.
Northern Districts already had Alyssa Healy on the books, the future Australian women’s wicketkeeper, and Starc’s long-term partner to be.
In anyone’s estimations, Starc’s numbers in the one-day game are extraordinary.
His average of 18.62 and strike rate of 23.1 is better than any bowler in history to have delivered more than 1000 balls.
At this World Cup Starc has taken a tournament-high 16 wickets at an astonishing average of 8.5.
It’s simplistic to identify Warne’s criticism of Starc’s body language in the second Test against India at the Gabba as the watershed moment in his career.
An inspirational challenge from captain Michael Clarke and the persistent gloating of his four-time World Cup-winning girlfriend have provided enough motivation.
But although unfazed by Warne’s comments, that horror outing in Brisbane still represents a significant landmark for a 25-year-old with the world at his feet.
“To move on from there, I guess I’m pretty proud of myself if you like to have that bad day but come back the way I did,” Starc told The Daily Telegraph.
“It was just a bad day at the office, we’ve all had them, Warnie’s definitely had them as well.
“It wasn’t the first time he’d been on my back, but he’s taken that many wickets and played that many games he’s entitled to his opinion.
“It’s not fazed me from day one.
“The confidence with the white ball has always been there, but for me (the big moment) was the Sydney Test.
“To come back from Brisbane and bowl the way I know I can in a Test match again was pleasing for me.”
THE ROCK
One person who hasn’t been surprised by Starc’s spectacular rise this summer is Healy.
Australia’s most unique sporting couple have been dating for five years, but were cricket teammates from aged nine.
They would swap over the gloves mid-innings for season after season until veteran cricket coach Neil D’Costa gave Starc an ultimatum.
“He said if you want to be any chance of making this (Green Shield) team you’ve got to bowl,” he recalls.
“So I didn’t make that team.”
Two years later Starc was a fast bowler for the Australian under 17s, and credits academy mentor Troy Cooley and respected national bowling coach Craig McDermott for aiding his rapid development.
But the person who keeps the lanky kid from Sydney’s west grounded is Healy.
A certified big name of Australian cricket in her own right, Healy often feels the need to remind Starc who made their international debut first and who is filling up the couple’s trophy cabinet.
“It’s quite funny, when we go out, everyone knows who he is and I’m just the little blonde girl standing next to him to take photos,” says Healy.
“I don’t mind that, but after coming home from taking eight photos for the day I’ll say something to him like ‘let me know when you win a World Cup so it can be 4-1 instead of 4-0.
“Deep down I think it motivates him.”
The couple are inspired by their shared goals and experiences, but the amount of time they spend on opposite sides of the globe with their beloved Staffies in foster care is no walk in the park.
“It’s difficult to say the least but we’re in the fortunate position we are both going off to do the same thing at the same time so we understand what the other is doing,” says Healy.
“I knew him when he was a chubby little wicketkeeper.
“It’s quite funny he’s now 6 foot 5 bowling 150km/h rockets for Australia.
“It’s pretty incredible, but it’s not unexpected.”
THE HOLY GRAIL
For all the talk about the perceived impact of Warne’s spray, the message that’s resonated most with Starc this summer was one delivered in private by the leg-spinning legend’s best mate.
Michael Clarke was out injured but on January 16 at the SCG, the skipper took Starc aside and lit a fire inside his fast bowler.
“He said don’t just try to be the best death bowler in Australia, try and be the best death bowler in the world,” said Starc.
The impact was so instant Starc didn’t even wait until the death overs, England were 2-0 after just three balls.
Now the next frontier is to translate his unprecedented dominance with the white ball to the Test arena, where he’s so far failed to “feel at home”.
The tedious length of this World Cup might have given Starc enough time to glance at his statistics.
But he’s refusing to acknowledge his personal achievements until Australia has the World Cup in their keeping.
For Starc The Unplayable, the job is not yet done.
“I guess the personal rewards are good but it doesn’t mean much unless we’re lifting that trophy at the end,” he said.
“I love the challenge of trying to win a game or closing out an innings.
“I’ve worked hard with Craig McDermott and Troy Cooley for nearly 12 months trying to get that consistency right. I’ve known I can do it, but I’ve (never felt in such command).
“I feel at home, and a sense of belonging in the one-day team.
“But we’re here to win a World Cup.”
THE BEST ONE-DAY BOWLER IN THE WORLD
Mitchell Starc – average 18.62, strike rate 23.1 from 38 matches, 77 wickets
Wasim Akram – average 23.52, strike rate 36.2 from 356 matches, 502 wickets
Waqar Younis – average 23.84, strike rate 30.5 from 262 matches, 416 wickets
Chaminda Vaas – average 27.53, strike rate 39.4 from 322 matches, 400 wickets
Shaun Pollock – average 24.5, strike rate 39.9 from 303 matches, 393 wickets
Glenn McGrath – average 22.02, strike rate 34 from 250 matches, 381 wickets
Brett Lee – average 23.36, strike rate 29.4 from 221 matches, 380 wickets
Mitchell Johnson – average 25.39, strike rate 31.3 from 150 matches, 233 wickets
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