Mitchell Starc: The Fiery Fast Bowler Who Redefined Cricket
**Let's Begin**
Mitchell Starc is one of the most feared fast bowlers in modern cricket. Known for his devastating yorkers, quick velocity, and ability to swing the ball both ways, Starc has been a match-winner for Australia across all formats. From World Cup heroics to legendary stints, his career has been filled with jaw-dropping exploits.
In this article, we’ll explore: - Mitchell Starc’s career and teams
- The formation of cricket teams (how many players?)
- **5 Most Memorable & Shocking Moments** (with details)
- His effect on Australian cricket
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## **Who is Mitchell Starc?** **Full Name:** Mitchell Aaron Starc ** Born:** January 30, 1990, Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, Australia **Role:** Left-arm fast bowler ** Teams:** - **Australia (National Team)** – Tests, ODIs, T20Is - **New South Wales (Domestic Cricket)** - **Sydney Sixers (Big Bash League)** - **Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL 2024)** - Previously played for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL
### **How Many Players Are on a Cricket Team? **
A conventional cricket squad consists of **11 players**, with substitutions allowed solely for injuries (concussion subs) or as fielding replacements. In events like the IPL or World Cup, squads normally include **15-25 players**, but only 11 take the field at a time.
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## **5 Most Memorable & Shocking Moments of Mitchell Starc’s Career**
### **1. 2015 World Cup: Starc’s Devastating Spell versus New Zealand (6/28)**
One of the finest fast-bowling efforts in World Cup history occurred in a **losing cause**. In a group-stage encounter against New Zealand, Starc unleashed a **fiery spell of 6/28** in 9 overs, destroying the Kiwi batting order.
- **Key Moments:** - Bowled Brendon McCullum with a **155 km/h thunderbolt** on the opening ball.
- Took **5 wickets for only 18 runs** in his first 5 overs.
- New Zealand nearly scraped to win (1 wicket left), confirming Starc’s superiority.
This performance established Starc as the **best fast bowler of the tournament**, where he finally won **Player of the Tournament** with **22 wickets**.
### **2. The Ball of the Century? Starc’s Unplayable Yorker to James Vince (2017-18 Ashes) ** During the **2017-18 Ashes**, Starc delivered what many termed **"the ball of the century"** to England’s James Vince.
- **What Happened?** - A **157 km/h inswinging yorker** that pitched outside off and **shattered Vince’s stumps**.
- The ball swung **late and viciously**, leaving Vince shocked.
- Fans and experts likened it to **Shane Warne’s "Ball of the Century" (1993)** for its pure brilliance.
This moment solidified Starc’s status as a **big-match bowler**.
### **3. 2019 World Cup Hat-Trick versus West Indies (But Not Given!) ** In a **controversial yet exhilarating moment**, Starc got **three wickets in three balls** against the West Indies—but it wasn’t officially a hat-trick owing to a **no-ball controversy**.
- **How It Unfolded:** - Starc dismissed **Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, and Jason Holder** in successive deliveries.
- The umpire **missed a no-ball** on the first wicket (Gayle), so the hat-trick wasn’t recorded.
- Despite the dispute, Starc’s **5/46** clinched Australia’s triumph.
### **4. Starc’s Record-Breaking 9/109 versus Sri Lanka (2022) ** In **July 2022**, Starc had one of the **best foreign performances by an Australian fast bowler** in Sri Lanka.
- **Match Highlights:** - **First Innings:** 4/47 - **Second Innings:** 5/62 - **Total:** 9/109 (Best match stats by an Aussie pacer in Asia since 1986)
- His **reverse swing and pace** decimated Sri Lanka’s batting.
This performance silenced detractors who thought he was **only successful under home conditions**.
### **5. The Infamous Jonny Bairstow Run-Out Controversy (2023 Ashes)** One of the **most startling and discussed moments** in recent Ashes history included Starc in a **controversial catch dismissal** of Jonny Bairstow.
- **What Happened?**
- Bairstow dodged a bouncer, departed his crease, and Alex Carey **underarm-threw the ball** to strike the stumps.
- Starc **caught the ball but was sliding**, leading to arguments about whether it was a justified dismissal.
- England fans **booed**, while Australia defended it as **within the rules**.
- The event generated **global debates on "Spirit of Cricket."**
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## **Conclusion: Mitchell Starc’s Legacy**
Mitchell Starc is not simply a quick bowler—he’s a **game-changer**. Whether it’s World Cup heroics, unplayable yorkers, or Ashes controversy, Starc has left a **indelible mark** on cricket.
With **300+ Test wickets, 200+ ODI wickets, and numerous World Cup wins**, he remains one of Australia’s finest fast bowlers. As he continues to play, fans can expect **more fiery periods and spectacular moments**.
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