Starc Achieves Unbeaten 58 Off 136 Balls

LONDON: During the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final against South Africa at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Friday, Australian lower-order batsman Mitchell Starc achieved a number of milestones with an undefeated half-century in the second innings.

Starc, a prominent left-arm fast bowler recognized for his speed, bounce, and swing, drew attention for his batting abilities during the crucial Test.

The left-handed batter entered the game at number nine with Australia in trouble at 73/7 in their second innings.

The defending champions risked being bowled out for a low score, which could have allowed South Africa to get back into the contest, but Starc showed remarkable tenacity with the bat.

He formed a crucial 61-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Alex Carey, who was removed by Kagiso Rabada late on the second day.

Starc then continued Australia’s second innings on the third day alongside Nathan Lyon, who was dismissed in the third over after scoring two runs.

Mitchell Starc then received strong support from Josh Hazlewood, and together they added 59 runs, which is now the highest tenth-wicket partnership in any ICC men’s tournament final.

A part-time spinner ended the record-setting partnership by dismissing Josh Hazlewood (17), while Starc remained undefeated with 58 off 136 balls, including five boundaries.

This was Starc’s eighth half-century in this format, placing him ahead of players like Stuart Broad, Daniel Vettori, Michael Holding, Kiran More, Tim Southee, and Graeme Swann.

He also became the second batter after Broad to record five scores of fifty or more while batting at No. 9 or lower in Test matches in a single country (England).