Former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Ian Healy has expressed concern over Australian pacer Mitchell Starc’s poor form ahead of Thursday’s much-awaited semi-final against the South African team. The inability of left-arm bowlers to take wickets during the powerplay affected Australia’s performance in major tournaments.
Mitchell Starc has shown inconsistent performance in the ongoing ODI World Cup after winning the last tournament. In nine matches he has taken just 10 wickets at a dismal average of 43.90, but the left-arm bowler is keen to turn things around for his side when they face South Africa in the semi-finals in Kolkata. are doing.
Ian Healy told the media he questioned the effectiveness of Mitchell Starc’s bowling on the big stage as he failed to make an impact for his team and urged him to drive the ball into the stumps. The five-time winners were warned that if they did not pick up early wickets, they would face a big total win in Calcutta.
“Is (Stark) still a strong force?” He wasn’t strong at all in this tournament. 10 wickets in 8 matches is not bad, but where will he take them? He doesn’t get any stronger at all until he gets it right and targets the stumps much better than before. He should put fire to the stumps and feet,” Ian Healy said.
“If we don’t get South Africa down a wicket or two in the powerplay this time, it will be tough to chase the total,” added Ian Healy.
Despite being the leading wicket-taker in ODI World Cups in both 2015 and 2019, Mitchell Starc has struggled to get going this year. He sacrificed dearly for most of the match and would have been hoping to turn the tide against his bitter rival in the semi-final.
I Think There’s A Lot Of Contributing Factors – Mitchell Starc On His Poor Form
Mitchell Starc has defended his performance at the 2023 World Cup, saying that wickets under lights were inconsistent and performances differed throughout the day, and that this figure was higher than many across the team. Said it affected the bowler…a type of bowling that he said was not satisfactory.
“If you look at the actual numbers, there are a lot of guys in a lot of teams who didn’t have the numbers they wanted…wickets are certainly tough day and night. Two very different turnstiles.”
“It was definitely an advantage to swing the ball under the lights and cover it up. I think there are a lot of factors behind this. Even here in India, speed is not everything.” said Mitchell Stark.
Mitchell Starc took just four wickets in the first powerplay, averaging a pathetic 34.75. Although Adam Zampa was a key player in the team’s victory in the league stage, Australia’s fast bowling attack struggled overall in the event.
