[Watch] Mitchell Starc Announces His Arrival In 2023 WC With Hattrick Against Netherlands
Mitchell Starc (Source: AP Newsroom)
The premier left-arm pacer for Australia, Mitchell Starc, known for his lethal pace and accuracy, always turns out to be a different beast in the World Cup. Something similar happened in the warm-up game between Australia and Netherlands as the pacer bowled unbelievably well to bag a hat trick, dismissing the top three batters of the opposition.
The hat trick won't count towards the official records because it is a warm-up, but surely enough to remind the fans that the serial World Cup wicket-taker is back. Getting MaxO'Dowd trapped in front of stumps with a delivery that comes in and is straight enough to be declared LBW, Starc then managed to clean up Wesley Barresi's off-stump as the inswinger seemed unplayable for the right-hander, who is sent back on the final ball of the first over.
On a hattrick, first ball of the third over, Starc runs in and knocks over the middle stump, this time with a pacy yorker that was enough to clean up Bas de Leede and rattle the Dutch early on during their chase.
Batting first, Australia had difficulty scoring but still managed 166 in their 23 overs as rain forced the game to be shortened. Steve Smith opened the batting and scored a breezy 55, with Cameron Green being the second-highest scorer as he fought with a 34.
In reply, the Netherlands were stunned early with a Starc classic as all the three batters he dismissed were facing their first balls of the game. By the time of publishing, the Dutch were 33/4 by the end of six overs.
.jpg?im=Resize=(250, 250) "Arnav Chopra")
