Mitchell Starc Proves Once Again That Age Is Just a Number

Mitchell Starc has come down once again for the Australian team to dominate in the Test format. In the second Test of The Ashes, Starc took the Player of the Match award once again in the series. This provides him with three consecutive POTM awards in the Test matches.

Let's take a look at Starc and his consistency in the last three Test matches he played.

The second Test of the Australia tour of the West Indies was also Starc’s 100th Test match. And to make it memorable, he had to give some prolific performances for the team. It was a Pink Ball Test, a game which has already been mastered by Starc. Australia was batting first in this game, as the team scored 225 runs.

In response, they were able to bowl out the West Indies to just 143 runs, with Starc taking the wicket of Kevlon Anderson. He finished the first innings with the figures of 32/1, in 13 overs. Later in Australia's second innings, the team scored 121 runs, as Starc contributed with the bat, remaining not out on 11.

Pic Source: ESPNcricinfo

The West Indies had to chase down a target of 204, and that's when Starc came into action. He started off by taking 3 wickets in the first over without conceding even a single run. Starc also took 2 more wickets in the fifth over, putting the West Indies at 7/5. He finished the game by taking the last wicket in the 15th over, as the West Indies were bowled out for 27. Starc received the POTM award for his figures, 1/32 and 6/9.

And now after a long break, it was time for The Ashes first Test at Perth. Australia did not have the availability of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, but Starc took the responsibility. England was batting first in this game and they were bowled out for just 172 runs. Mitchell Starc registered his career best figures in this innings.

He was able to take 7 wickets while conceding just 58 runs in 12.5 overs. Some of the best wickets he took included the names of Joe Root and Ben Stokes. Australia was later bowled out for just 132 runs, allowing England to start with a lead. Still they were bowled out for 164, as Starc took 3 wickets while conceding 55 runs in 12 overs.

3. The Ashes, 2nd Test

For the second Test also, Australia did not have the availability of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. But this time, they were knowing the fact that Mitchell Starc will be able to dominate for them. It was a Pink Ball Test, and England were batting first in this game. The team ended up scoring an impressive total of 334 runs, with Joe Root scoring a ton.

Later in England's second innings, Starc was again able to take some important wickets. He grabbed the wickets of Joe Root and Jamie Smith, finishing the second innings with the figures of 75/2 in 18 overs. Australia won this match also by a margin of 8 wickets, as Starc received his third consecutive POTM award.