Mitchell Starc, the leading wicket-taker in the last two One-day Men’s World Cups, walked into the post-match news conference with a huge grin on his face, having just helped Australia beat South Africa in a run-chase with the bat. However, he said that Mitchell Starc, the bowler, hasn’t been up to par in this World Cup, and praised his opening partner, Josh Hazlewood, and the rest of his teammates for a comprehensive performance.
“It was probably not the tournament that we would like from the get-go, but it was nice to step up in a big game.” Starc remarked. “Our powerplay got us going. Powerplay wickets haven’t been our strong suit in this tournament, so a power play of 2-18 was welcome. Josh bowled brilliantly throughout to finish 2-12. Trav (Travis Head) with bat and ball, Davey stepping up and leading by example.”
Starc went on to describe the pitch, noting that he didn’t know if the conditions were more difficult to bat on at first, but that the bounce was steady despite the lateral movement off the pitch and in the air.
“It was a barren pitch.” I’m not sure if it was slightly more difficult to begin with the bat because of the time spent beneath covers. “There was consistent pace, a little nipped and a little swing, and the inconsistencies made it difficult to bat on in the first ten overs.”
The left-arm express pacer praised his right-arm counterpart’s effort with the ball, as he performed flawlessly, perfectly bouncing the ball on the same location and reaping the benefits on the largest stage.
“Based on Joshy’s pitch map, that’s what he excels at in Test match bowling.” “The way we run off each other, to have that powerplay and carry the momentum through the middle, is how we want to start matches, and that’s what we want to do in a big game,” Starc explained. “The South African openers tried to put us under pressure in phases, but Josh was incredible with his line and length, and we were able to build dot balls, which led to the shot that Quinton played.” Today’s discipline and fielding prevented them from pushing harder.”
With the bat, Starc stated that the first ten overs have been challenging for batting throughout the World Cup, but little bravery, combined with some luck, would give you a start like Travis Head and Warner did, relieving pressure off the middle and lower ranks.
“Davey and Heady immediately put South Africa under pressure.” When you’re willing to take on the game in this manner and bring some luck with you. Trav probably looked a little ominous there not to get closer to.a hundred if he kept going. Given what transpired at the end, it was definitely needed, allowing us some more time to not have to work so hard at the end.”
Starc also noted that South Africa bowled effectively in sections, particularly with their spinners at the end, but also mentioned the domino effect – getting players like Klaasen and Miller in early to reduce the likelihood of substantial damage at the back end.
“We knew South Africa’s back end was dangerous, and if we can get Miller and Klaasen in early, in the first 20 overs, we’ll be fine.” It makes it more difficult for them to back end it. That’s basically how we set up with the bat, to take the game on and back them up to put pressure on. The spin made it more difficult, and South Africa bowled well in sections to put pressure back on us, but the manner we began with the bat helped.”
When asked about playing India in the World Cup final, and facing the tournament’s only unbeaten team, Starc responded matter-of-factly, acknowledging that it’s unlikely that a team would win a World Cup without defeating the tournament’s best side, and that the two sides were no strangers to big occasions.
“That’s why we play the game; we take on the best, and they’ve been the best in the tournament so far, which is why we’re in the final.” That is the purpose of World Cups. A World Cup final is a momentous occasion. Both sides met in the Test final earlier this year, so neither change room is unfamiliar with huge moments. It’ll be loud and passionate, and it’ll be a tremendous spectacle, and everyone in our locker room is looking forward to it.”
