Mitchell Starc, the Australian pace sensation, etched his name into the annals of cricket history during India’s ICC Cricket World Cup campaign opener against Australia in Chennai. Starc’s achievement? He became only the second Australian and the fifth bowler overall to capture 50 wickets in the ICC World Cup.
In the defense of a modest target of 200 runs, Starc made his presence felt early in the innings. He drew first blood by removing India’s young talent, Ishan Kishan, for a golden duck. This wicket not only showcased Starc’s ability to strike early but also marked the beginning of his historic journey to the 50-wicket milestone in the World Cup.
Starc’s impact in the match extended beyond the early breakthrough. He finished the game with impressive figures of 1/31 in eight overs. This performance highlighted his consistency and ability to make crucial breakthroughs when needed. In 19 World Cup games, Starc boasts an incredible record with 50 wickets at an average of 15.14, showcasing his prowess as a world-class bowler on the grandest stage of them all.
Starc’s journey to 50 wickets in the World Cup began in earnest in the 2019 edition of the tournament. In that memorable campaign, he scalped 27 wickets in just 10 matches, setting a record that still stands. His 27 wickets in a single edition of the World Cup is a testament to his dominance as a bowler.
It’s worth noting that Starc’s excellence in World Cup cricket is not limited to 2019. In the 2015 edition of the tournament, hosted by Australia, he claimed 22 wickets. His performance played a pivotal role in helping Australia secure the trophy for the fifth time. Starc’s consistency and impact on the biggest stage have solidified his status as one of the finest fast bowlers in the history of the game.
While Starc’s achievement is remarkable, he joins a select group of legendary bowlers in the list of all-time World Cup wicket-takers. At the top of this esteemed list is Australia’s Glenn McGrath, who has 71 wickets in 39 matches. Following closely are Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (68 wickets in 40 matches), Lasith Malinga (56 wickets in 29 matches), and Pakistan’s Wasim Akram (55 wickets in 38 matches). Starc’s inclusion among these luminaries speaks volumes about his impact on the World Cup stage.
Starc’s achievement becomes even more impressive when we consider the speed at which he reached this milestone. He took his 50 World Cup wickets in just 941 balls, making him the fastest bowler to achieve this feat in terms of balls bowled. In this regard, he outpaces greats like McGrath, Akram, and Muralitharan. Starc’s ability to take wickets quickly sets him apart as a potent force in limited-overs cricket.
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The ICC World Cup match between India and Australia showcased the unpredictable nature of the sport. After Australia lost Mitchell Marsh for a duck, openers David Warner and Steve Smith steadied the ship with their 69-run partnership. However, following Smith’s dismissal, Australia faced a collapse.
India’s bowling attack, led by the spin trio of Ravindra Jadeja (3/28), Kuldeep Yadav (2/42), and Ravichandran Ashwin (1/34), wreaked havoc on Australia’s recognized batters. The pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah (2/35), Mohammed Siraj (1/26), and Hardik Pandya (1/28) cleaned up the lower order, reducing Australia from 110/3 to 199 all out in 49.3 overs. Mitchell Starc (28*) attempted to help Australia play out their allotted 50 overs but fell short in the end.
In the chase of 200 runs, India faced an early crisis, losing Ishan Kishan, skipper Rohit Sharma, and Shreyas Iyer for ducks, leaving them at 2/3. However, a remarkable 165-run partnership between Virat Kohli (85) and KL Rahul (97*) secured a stunning six-wicket win for India. Josh Hazlewood (3/38) was the standout bowler for Australia.
