Mitchell Starc, Australia’s premier fast bowler, made a triumphant return to first-class cricket on Monday, claiming six wickets for New South Wales against Victoria in Melbourne. Starc’s impressive performance marks his successful re-entry into the game after a brief hiatus and bodes well for Australian cricket.
During the second innings, Starc showcased his exceptional bowling skills, capturing six wickets for 81 runs in 17.5 overs. His victims included Ashley Chandrasinghe, Marcus Harris, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Elliott, Fergus O’Neill, and Todd Murphy.
Starc’s return to form is particularly significant as he prepares to face India’s formidable batting lineup in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series. The left-arm pacer is currently the third leading wicket-taker in the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, with 48 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 28.37.
In the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship cycle, Starc has taken four four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul, making him the joint third-highest wicket-taker alongside Pat Cummins. The leading bowlers in this WTC cycle are Ravichandran Ashwin with 59 wickets and Josh Hazlewood with 51 wickets.
Starc’s performance against Victoria is a testament to his unwavering determination and skill. He is now eyeing significant milestones in the upcoming Border Gavaskar series, including reaching 400 Test wickets and 700 international wickets. So far, he has claimed 358 wickets in 89 Test matches and a total of 678 wickets in 279 international matches.
Starc’s return to form is a major boost for Australia as they prepare to face India in a highly anticipated Test series. The Border-Gavaskar series, which begins on November 22, will be a crucial test for both teams as they aim to qualify for the World Test Championship final.
