Mitchell Starc’s destructive day two spell against New Zealand signalled the true arrival of pink ball Tests, writes Robert Craddock
Mitchell Starc is a red-ball traditionalist who excels with the pink ball. His destruction of New Zealand’s top order in Perth was one of the greatest endorsements for the pink ball, writes Robert Craddock.
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Mitchell Starc is caught in a cricketing conundrum in which his head and heart are heading in a different direction to his spring-loaded left arm.
Starc’s rampaging deeds under lights are doing more than any other player to ensure pink-ball Test matches are a norm rather than a novelty yet publicly he does not want this to happen.
He is like the Elvis fan who hates modern music then tops the charts with a souped up remix of Kentucky Rain.
Cricket’s pink panther is an old-fashioned traditionalist at heart but a ruthless modern professional once he picks up the new ball no matter what colour the ball.
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Starc’s two-hour thunder storm against the Kiwis in Perth on Friday was a significant moment in the history of day-night cricket because the game simply sprang to life with a freak catch to Steve Smith, a hat-trick chance and all sorts of dramas as bowlers thrived under lights with extra swing.
Television ratings surged with every passing minute as he dismantled the Kiwis even though the match finished at 11.30pm in the eastern states.
The contest had lay dormant for much of the day as Australia batted slowly to ensure they could launch a withering new ball dusk assault at the Kiwis and they planned well.
The sleepy stadium suddenly felt like a colosseum. Everything nuance of pink ball cricket which administrators were hoping to showcase – the swinging ball, under lights, the change of power from bat to ball was there in one glistening package.
Later Starc was handed the easiest half volley of the summer when asked first up whether, given his record, he must wish that every Test was played with a pink ball.
“Nope,’’ was his reply. He spoke with a grin but his smile was more of a reflection of how unusual that statement sounded rather than him trying to convey any sense it was not true.
But Mitchell, you seem to enjoy it?
“I seem to take wickets … yeah, I think it’s a … don’t overdo it I would say. It is great for cricket and I am still a traditionalist at heart and don’t take away many from the red ball game.’’
Starc may be the prince of pink ball cricket but he has never been in love with the pink ball or day-night Test cricket.
It is a rare event indeed in professional sport for a player to be not so hot on something they excel at.
It was a bit like hearing Rafael Nadal saying “deep down, if you want me to be truthful, I’ve never really got off on playing on clay.’’
But a man never has to apologise for what is in his heart and Starc’s caution about day-night Tests has even more gravitas because he is not simply pushing his own cause.
But on this issue his deeds will have more say than his words.
The pink ball revolution is picking up pace.
It’s unlikely that every Test of an Australian summer will be pink ball because that would run into Big Bash games.
But the push is on for more of them – two or three every summer.
When the game resumed on Saturday morning it felt much more subdued, like the morning after a New Year’s party.
The 40 degree heat had something to do with that but there was also the sense that the crowd was already baying for sundown and the plot twists it brings.
Originally published as Mitchell Starc’s destructive day two spell against New Zealand signalled the true arrival of pink ball Tests, writes Robert Craddock