Mitchell Starc has decided to retire from T20Is citing workload management. The veteran left-arm seamer wants to prolong his Test and ODI career alongside playing the domestic T20 leagues across the world. While Starc has done well in all the formats, in T20Is, he was lethal and will sorely be missed by Australia. But the body sometimes is the best indicator of where he is at present. There were many memorable spells of Mitchell Starc and we will try and list the 3 best spells of Mitchell Starc in T20Is.
3. 2/34 vs New Zealand in Dubai, 2021 T20 World Cup Final.Â
The stage was set for the T20 World Cup final in 2021 in Dubai as Trans-Tasman rivals Australia and New Zealand squared off against each other. Both were searching for their first title and were hungry to do well. Australia had won everything except the T20 World Cup and they meant business and were desperate to win under Aaron Finch.
New Zealand were put into bat by Australia and all eyes were on Starc to take early wickets. It was not Starc’s most economical spell but his early wickets ensured that New Zealand did not get to a huge total and then later the Aussies chased it down. He was instrumental in striking with the new ball and then came back towards the end and kept things relatively under check. This spell showed Starc’s hunger and ability to perform on the big stage and this was the biggest stage ever, the World Cup final and Starc was instrumental in Australia lifting their maiden title and so far that is the only title that they have won so far in T20 cricket.
2. 3/11 vs South Africa in Johannesburg, 2014.Â
This spell came at the start of his career as Starc was climbing up the ranks in T20Is for Australia. He was not established yet and had to prove a point to the selectors and others alike. But what this spell showed was what Starc was made of. He demonstrated tremendous control and had speed to work with as well. He was always known for taking top order wickets and he did that aplomb.
Playing away from home at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, Mitchell Starc dismantled South Africa’s top order and this marked his arrival as a T20 bowler. He now had the self-belief to do well under any conditions and boy he troubled the best of the batters. The South African team was well-established then and for Starc to literally dismantle them was a sight to behold. His 3-wicket haul here showed his prowess and what a dangerous bowler he went onto became after that.
1. 4/20 vs Sri Lanka in Sydney, 2019.Â
We saved the best for the last as Mitchell Starc’s best performance came in Sydney 2019 against Sri Lanka. It was a match played on home soil, and it was on the backdrop of Australia losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to India in early 2019. So, people looked at Starc to deliver albeit in a different format and he did delivery there was no doubt about it.
Playing on home soil and his home ground as well as he has represented New South Wales in the past, Mitchell Starc delivered a highly potent performance. He had sheer speed and accuracy which troubled the batters of Sri Lanka. His skillset on view literally overwhelmed the Sri Lankan team and its batters and ultimately it led to a comfortable win for Australia in the end with Starc bagging the Player of the Match award. It was these spells that made Starc who he was and was a proven customer for Australian cricket.
So, these were the best three spells that we could get for Mitchell Starc in T20Is as he bid adieu to the game. It is indeed the end of an era for all Starc fans in T20Is as he wants to workload his management. We wish him well and will eagerly see him in action in the other two formats and the T20 leagues across the world. The body needs some rest and hence Starc took this decision.
Also Read:Â AUS vs IND: CA Announce Schedule Of A Bumper White Ball Series Against India