Starc turns sights to ‘world’s best’ India as Australian attack hits peak form 

Australian most dangerous & fast bowler Mitchell Starc was already looking ahead to the challenge of India in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final, just moments after helping his Australian side to a semi-final victory.

But it was with the ball that the left-armer had the biggest impact, turning the screw alongside new-ball partner Josh Hazlewood to leave the Proteas reeling at 24/4.

“It’s probably not been the tournament I would have liked from the get-go, but it’s nice to step up in a big game,” Starc said. “And I think our powerplay was probably what got us on our wa

“There were other key moments through the day with bat and ball. But to start the game like that with Joshie and I, powerplay wickets have probably been not our strong suit through the tournament so it’s nice to have a powerplay of, what, two for 18.

But a typically modest Starc was keen to speak more about his bowling partner, with both going on to take additional wickets – Hazlewood removing Rassie van der Dussen and Starc dismissing Aiden Markram and later Keshav Maharaj.

“The way Josh bowled throughout to finish two for 12 (from eight overs) was incredible,” Starc said, with his own figures finishing on 3/34 from ten.

“I think looking at Josh’s pitch map, that’s what he does so well in Test Match bowling. He was incredible today and the way we run off each other to have that powerplay that we did and carry some momentum through the middle was how we want to start matches. It was nice to do it in a big game.”