Mitchell Starc, Australian cricketer

Mitchell Aaron Starc, born on 30 January 1990, stands as a formidable figure in Australian and international cricket. Renowned globally as a potent left-arm fast bowler and a capable lower-order left-handed batsman, Starc is a pivotal player for the Australian national team across all three formats – Test, One-Day International (ODI), and Twenty20 International (T20I). Domestically, he represents his home state, New South Wales, contributing significantly to their success in the Sheffield Shield and other competitions.

A Dominant Force in International Cricket

Starc's career is highlighted by numerous achievements, cementing his reputation as one of the elite bowlers in modern cricket. His ability to generate extreme pace, swing the new ball, and deliver pinpoint yorkers, particularly at the death, makes him a constant threat to opposition batsmen worldwide.

World Cup Heroics and Unmatched Impact

A cornerstone of Australia's success, Mitchell Starc played a prominent and decisive role in the squad that triumphed at the 2015 Cricket World Cup. His consistently devastating performances throughout the tournament, where he was the leading wicket-taker with 22 wickets, earned him the prestigious 'Player of the Tournament' award. This achievement underscored his pivotal contribution to Australia securing their fifth World Cup title on home soil. Demonstrating remarkable consistency across editions, his career tally of 49 World Cup wickets positioned him, at one point, as the joint 5th highest wicket-taker in the tournament's history, a testament to his sustained impact on cricket's biggest stage.

The Speed Demon: A Landmark Delivery

Mitchell Starc is not just known for his wicket-taking prowess but also for his blistering pace. On 15 November 2015, during the second Test against New Zealand at the iconic WACA Ground in Perth, he delivered one of the fastest balls ever recorded in Test match history. Clocked at an astounding 160.4 km/h (99.7 mph), this thunderbolt was bowled to New Zealand's Ross Taylor, solidifying Starc's place among an elite group of pacers who have breached the 160 km/h barrier, including legends like Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee.

Setting and Breaking Records

Fastest to 100 ODI Wickets

Starc etched his name into the record books on 21 August 2016, during an ODI against Sri Lanka in Dambulla. By reaching 100 ODI wickets in just 52 innings, he became the fastest bowler in history to achieve this significant milestone, shattering a 19-year-old record previously held by Pakistan's legendary off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who had achieved the feat in 53 innings. This record highlighted Starc's incredible wicket-taking efficiency in the 50-over format.

However, records are meant to be broken. Just 19 months later, on 25 March 2018, Starc's remarkable record was surpassed by Afghanistan's prodigious leg-spinner, Rashid Khan, who reached 100 ODI wickets in an astonishing 44 innings. Despite this, as of February 2019, Mitchell Starc proudly retained the distinction of being the fastest paceman to reach the 100-wicket mark in One-Day Internationals, underscoring his unparalleled speed and impact among fast bowlers.

Batting Powerhouse: MCG Sixes Record

While primarily known for his bowling, Starc has also proven to be a dangerous lower-order batsman capable of significant contributions. On 30 December 2016, during the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan at the illustrious Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), he demonstrated his hitting power by smashing 7 sixes in a single innings. This impressive display allowed him to break the long-standing record for the most sixes hit at the MCG in one Test innings, a record previously held by his former Australian teammate, the explosive all-rounder Andrew Symonds.

Unique Domestic Hat-Trick Double

In a truly rare and historic feat, Mitchell Starc made headlines in November 2017 while playing for New South Wales in the 2017–18 Sheffield Shield season, Australia's premier first-class domestic competition. Against Western Australia, he became the first bowler in the history of the Sheffield Shield to take a hat-trick in each innings of a match. This extraordinary accomplishment – two hat-tricks in a single first-class game – is an incredibly uncommon occurrence in the annals of cricket, further solidifying his status as a bowler of exceptional skill and precision.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mitchell Starc

What makes Mitchell Starc one of the best bowlers in modern cricket?

Mitchell Starc is highly regarded for his extreme pace, ability to generate swing with both the new and old ball, and his devastating accuracy, particularly with inswinging yorkers. His capacity to take wickets consistently across all phases of an innings, from early breakthroughs to crucial death overs, makes him a formidable opponent.

What is Mitchell Starc's fastest recorded delivery?

Mitchell Starc delivered a ball clocked at 160.4 km/h (99.7 mph) to Ross Taylor during a Test match against New Zealand at the WACA Ground in Perth on 15 November 2015. This makes it one of the fastest deliveries ever officially recorded in international cricket.

Did Mitchell Starc hold the record for the fastest 100 ODI wickets?

Yes, Mitchell Starc became the fastest bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets in 52 innings on 21 August 2016, breaking Saqlain Mushtaq's 19-year-old record. While his overall record was later surpassed by Rashid Khan (44 innings), Starc remains the fastest paceman to achieve this feat as of February 2019.

What unique domestic cricket record does Mitchell Starc hold?

In November 2017, Mitchell Starc became the first bowler in the history of the Sheffield Shield to take a hat-trick in each innings of a single first-class match, a truly remarkable and rare achievement in the sport.