(Image Source: X – Cricket Australia)
[Saba Sports News] In match 43 of the ODI World Cup 2023, Australia faced Bangladesh in Pune on November 11.
Prior to the match, Mitchell Starc, known for his fast bowling, surprisingly took up wicketkeeping during warm-ups, a role he played in his early cricketing days. Starc, married to Australian women’s team wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy, received mixed reactions for this role switch.
Commentator Simon Doull expressed concerns about the risk of injury, noting that a finger injury could jeopardize Starc’s participation in the remaining tournament.
“I know he’s probably getting keeping lessons at home from Alyssa Healy. He was actually wicketkeeping this morning to the quick bowlers, and I thought, ‘That is fraught with danger’. You’ve got a couple of games left in the World Cup, and you’ve got the gloves on wicketkeeping to the quicks. If you get one on the finger, I just didn’t think that was overly smart,” Doull commentated on air.
Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden also commented on the unusual decision. Meanwhile, Starc, who has a notable history in ODI World Cups, was rested for the Bangladesh match. He shone in the 2015 World Cup with 22 wickets and led as the top bowler in 2019 with 27 wickets.
Hayden added, “Not that I watch your forehead closely, but I saw it crinkle up, with one eyebrow raised. You’re having the day off, the last thing you want to do is break a finger.”
However, in the 2023 edition, his performance has been less impactful, with 10 wickets in eight games at an average of 43.90 and an economy rate of 6.55. Starc aims to regain form in the knockout stages.