Ten wickets in the first two games of the Cricket Australia Tri-Series has reiterated the menacing presence of Mitchell Starc in the one-day side.
After a mixed Test campaign, Starc has been back to his beastly best in coloured clothing, taking two wickets in the first over against England.
Dismissing the in-form Ian Bell lbw first ball was a dream start for Starc, and striking again with his third ball showed the havoc he is capable of enforcing.
This devastating opening performance was backed up by another first-over strike against India, with Starc ripping through their line-up later in the innings to finish with six wickets, while also crushing the tourists’ hopes of reaching 300.
In a crew of younger pacemen than Australian fans are used to seeing in recent summers, Starc has been the clear standout. While much fanfare has been made of Pat Cummins’ return to international cricket, his lack of penetration has been a little underwhelming in the opening two games.
Starc has matched him for pace, while knocking over stumps and opposition momentum with encouraging frequency. His outstanding limited overs form bodes well for Australia’s World Cup hopes. The loping lefty has demonstrated he is capable of leading the attack while his namesake, Mitchell Johnson, takes a breather to rest his shoulder and thicken up his mo for the remainder of the summer.
When the great man does return, he will find Starc not only playing second fiddle, but also potentially upstaging him. If current form is any indicator, the younger Mitchell could well be Australia’s leading wicket taker in the World Cup.
With middle Mitch swinging the ball like a yo-yo in the breeze, while consistently hitting speeds of mid to high 140s, coaches and batsmen of the world will be scrambling to find a solution for Starc’s searing form.
If his current run of demolition jobs continues, I fear for the minnows of the cricketing world set to arrive on our shores in coming weeks for potentially brief World Cup campaigns. Their short stays could be made unhappier if Starc decimates their top orders and rips out their hearts, Mortal Kombat style.
In the summer of the Mitchell, with Marsh also set to return to the side for the World Cup, it is surprising MMM have not put in a belated bid for broadcasting rights. A Mitchell-Mitchell-Mitchell marketing campaign for summer 2015-16 is surely on the cards, particularly if Starc rolls on in his current campaign of destruction.
With the Test side rapidly approaching a period of transition and generational change, Mitchell Starc is doing his chances of leading the Test attack no harm at all with his outstanding Tri- Series performances. If he can continue his current run of dominance, he may well prove to be the most important Mitchell in this year’s World Cup campaign.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
I'd say it's just a preference for variation.
horse
Guest
Do you think selectors have got something against left arm bowlers or do they just want variation? Leave quicks aside, maybe that's why Doherty can't get a game in tests anymore.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
That's probably a fair assessment, Horse. He certainly looked good for the Renegades last night. I would rate him ahead of Cummins on current form, but probably behind Johnson, Starc and Behrendorff at this stage. Being a right-arm bowler probably works in his favour re selection, as the selectors seem to prefer avoiding an all-lefty attack for some reason.
horse
Guest
Daniel, Pattinson has been unplayable in his last two T20 games. Where would you rate him in the ODI order: after Johnson, Starc and Cummins but before Hazelwood and other quicks?
13th Man
Roar Pro
Starc is a much better bowler than McLenaghan. I think Kiwis have missed a trick not including Matt Henry in there WC squad. Looks a very good bowler, should be in over Kyle Mills I think.
13th Man
Roar Pro
Two changes to last nights winning XI for me. Mitch Marsh and Clarke (or Shaun Marsh if Clarke is ruled out) come in and Maxwell and Bailey go out. On the subject of spinners I think we need one as well but unfortunately we do not have a good enough one in the squad. Doherty and Maxwell are second rate at best. also Johnson in for Sandhu obviously.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Very unselfish of him :)
ES
Guest
On your last point, maybe it's strategic - basically he's there to pick up the suspensions for slow over rates. Good team man, Bailey. Once the suspension is served, are captains still on notice for slow over rates or do they reset? If we get any dead rubbers in the triangular series, it might be worth picking Clarke as specialist captain (a la Mark Taylor for a while there, although he was a good slipper too...) and picking up the suspension to clear out his record.
Targa
Guest
Mitchell Starc - 59 wickets in 30 odis Mitchell McClenaghan - 60 wickets in 30 odis Anything an Aussie (left-armer) can do, a Kiwi can go better
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Quite possibly! Quick run in the evening for him.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
haha! Lucky the schedule can accommodate if needed. He could even squeeze a game in during a Test.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Perhaps we need to make sure he plays a T20 game of some sort 2-3 days before every Test?
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Have you noticed his best form often seems to follow a game or two of T20. Don't quote me, just sits in my mind. Seems to focus his mind knowing it's over in 4 overs and mentally/physically he puts it altogether.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
I'd say Cummins will go, based on current form. Hazelwood is surely a backup in the squad.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
I doubt his workload this summer would be that high, so probably best to play him through the series.
JimmyB
Guest
Why wouldn't you use a gun fielder? Makes perfect sense to me.
bells
Guest
Following on what you said to Abigail and Horse, who will make way for Johnson when he comes back into the ODI side? Do they drop Cummins? Does it mean there'd be no room for Hazelwood? And another question Daniel, how long can we afford the extravagance of a ODI captain who can't score runs?
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Great to see tall Mitch in such good rhythm. Will be interesting to see if the selectors keep playing him or try and keep him fresh for the WC. I'd like to see him keep the form rolling - the less thinking time on the sidelines the better.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Absolutely. Boyce is handy with the bat too.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Good call, Abigail. I definitely think we should use a specialist fielder against England as much as possible, to make up for the 2009 Ashes. I think Ahmed is a good spin option. He's certainly been in outstanding form for the Renegades recently.