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When Mitchell Starc took 4/27 against Sri Lanka at the Gabba in 2010, everyone knew this guy was special.
Everyone knew he was going to be big. But bone spurs in his ankle meant he required major surgery, which kept him out of action during the Ashes and World Cup.
However, he was made a successful recovery and made his Test debut against New Zealand in the 2011/12 season thanks mainly to injuries to Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris.
There were two moments last summer that for me showed that we had a future great in our midst.
The first was during the third Test in Perth against India, in the second innings. Starc was brought on as the first change bowler in the 10th over, and immediately had an impact.
He produced a brilliant, quick, lifting bouncer to Gautam Gambhir that caught the shoulder of the bat and gave a catch to Mike Hussey. Then just six overs later, he produced a brilliant inswinging delivery to the great Tendulkar and trapped him in front lbw.
The second moment was at the MCG during the first ODI against India also. Given the new ball, Starc had the over to Tendulkar.
He produced a string of deliveries that swung into the left hander, then on the fifth ball, he bowled one that went straight across, got Tendulkar reaching for it which resulted in a mishit to Ricky Ponting, who took a wonderful diving catch.
Some may disagree with me and say that the moment Starc announced himself was when he bowled Australia to victory in the first Test against Sri Lanka when it looked certain they were going to salvage a draw.
Like Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson, Starc is capable of bowling up to 145km/h, swinging the ball both ways, taking wickets in clumps and winning matches for Australia.
However like Lee and Johnson, he can also be erratic and leak runs when not in form. But he is only 23-years-old and can only get better and better.
When bowling alongside Johnson, they are Australia’s X-factor.
When the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the Ashes come, Starc will play a pivotal role. I will not be surprised if Starc has taken 350 Test and ODI wickets by the end of his career.
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