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Australia's premier left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc wreaked havoc with the new ball against Netherlands in a rain-curtailed warm-up game. Starc sent three Dutch batters back to the dressing room before they could open their account in the run chase at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on September 30.
In the first over, Vikramjit Singh managed to hit a boundary via an edge off the toe-end of the bat. MaxODowd could not pick the delivery that nipped back in late. He did not know whether to go back or forward. He was struck in front of the middle stump and got out lbw for a golden duck. Next ball, Starc got the ball to come into the right-handed with pace. Wesley Barresi's bat was nowhere near the line of the ball and he got bowled.
On the first ball of the third ball, Starc was on a hat-trick. Skipper Pat Cummins had an attacking field in place. Starc decided to bowl another inswinger but this time it was a yorker. Bas de Leede had no answer to the yorker as the ball smashed into the middle stump and Starc completed his hat-trick.
Earlier, Starc got a promotion in the batting order as well after Cummins won the toss and opted to bat first. After a detailed start, there were a few changes in the batting order. After Glenn opener Steve Smith departed for a 42-ball 55, Starc came out to bat in the 15th over of the 23 overs per side game.
The 33-year-old remained unbeaten for 24 off 22 balls. He hit a four off Paul van Meekeren. In the penultimate over, he smashed a short delivery from De Leede for a maximum over mid-wicket. He helped Australia post 166/7.
History awaits Starc
Meanwhile, Starc is just one wicket away from entering the elite list of bowlers in the ODI World Cup over the years. Starc needs one wicket to become the fifth bowler to take 50 or more wickets in ODI World Cups. He has 49 wickets from 18 games including three four-fers. He is expected to achieve the milestone when India take on Australia on October 8 in their campaign opener.
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