Mitchell Aaron Starc, a name enough to make batsmen tremble, bows out of T20 Internationals.🏏
Who would have thought that a 14-year old kid trying to become a wicketkeeper would end up as one of the most decorated bowlers in the world. Not everyone is lucky to represent their country’s colours. What’s more, he went on to play in 4 World Cups in this very format. He was also leading the pace attack in the 2021 World Cup edition where Australia🇦🇺 were crowned champions.
However, his numbers in T20 Internationals don’t reflect how good a player he was. He took 79 wickets in 65 appearances in his 12-year-long T20 career, something no one will expect from a bowler of his stature. What remains out of sight is his collateral contribution. Imagine being 1-0 after an over in this dynamic format where 250+ runs are being scored for fun. It was the pressure that he built from one end that forced the errors on the other end. He was the shade that sheltered the likes of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye, Daniel Sams and many more. Famous as a “first-over specialist”, he has taken 11 wickets in the very first over of innings.
It has been about a week since the poster boy of the sport, a name that features in almost every record list you can pull out, announced his retirement. Yet, his name will reverberate among the walls of the cricket world for centuries to come. An unsaid mentor to the emerging fast bowlers from the Australian continent, an inspiration for all the teenagers dreaming of representing their nation at the highest level, a bowler whose action everyone has tried to imitate, take a bow,🙇🏻Mitchell Starc!
Nevertheless, the world will continue to witness the class of the 35-year-old in this format across different leagues. He will continue to play for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League and for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. Fans will have to wait until the 14th of December when the Big Bash League kickstarts.
Image courtesy: ICC, Getty Images
