Mitchell Starc embarrassed by forgotten Test star in Sheffield Shield return

Mitchell Starc has failed to silence his critics as Victoria’s batsmen feasted on the left-armer’s bowling in his return to the Sheffield Shield.

Mitchell Starc of the Blues.

Australian paceman Mitchell Starc has failed to silence his critics as Victoria’s batsmen feasted on the left-armer’s bowling in his return to the Sheffield Shield this week.

Starc conceded 0/44 during an expensive six-over spell at the SCG, with former Test batsman Nic Maddinson proving the chief destroyer.

Maddison smacked 32 runs off 19 balls against Starc, including a mammoth six off the second ball of day two in Sydney.

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The 29-year-old was eventually removed by Blues paceman Sean Abbott for 77, his explosive knock featuring nine boundaries and two sixes.

'Just get your eye in at the start of the day.'

Nic Maddinson:#SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/aEWaI15whp

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 17, 2021

First ball after the rain delay and Nic Maddinson is out for 77 (80 balls).

We're 2-112 with Peter Handscomb (7no) and Matt Short (2no) at the crease.

Watch live on Fox cricket and https://t.co/sQdROcOQgP#vicsdoitbetter #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/dOFAaYS60A

— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) February 18, 2021

During a rain-interrupted morning session, Victoria crawled towards 2/123 in reply to New South Wales’ first innings score of 165.

Maddinson has been one of the Sheffield Shield most consistent performers since joining the Victorian squad in 2018.

Over the past three seasons, Maddison has scored 1508 first-class runs at a phenomenal average of 79.36, including five centuries in 15 Sheffield Shield matches.

But the talented left-hander has been overlooked by national selectors since he was axed from the Test side in late 2016.

Instead, Victorian teammates Will Pucovski and Marcus Harris were rushed into the Australian side following their record-breaking partnership against South Australia in November.

Nic Maddinson of Victoria.

Maddinson was the Sheffield Shield’s highest run-scorer in the 2019/20 summer, yet is rarely touted as a candidate to partner with David Warner in the Test side.

Starc’s place in the Australian Test XI has come under question following a disappointing Test series against India, but the 31-year-old will be eager to rediscover some momentum with the red ball over the coming weeks.

Earlier this month, Starc was named in the national squad to travel to South Africa for a three-Test series which has since been postponed.