With the advent of T20 cricket in the last 17 years, there has been a debate over batters getting more advantage over bowlers due to rule changes. Of late, batters have said that more runs should be awarded for sixes that are over 90 or 100 metres. Former England captain Kevin Pietersen went on to say that 12 runs should be given for sixes over 100 metres. Rohit Sharma also said that 10 runs should be awarded for such sixes. Mitchell Starc had a sarcastic take on these proposed rule changes saying that maybe the bowler should get two wickets if he sends the stump cartwheeling.
The Australian left-arm pacer was asked about free hits being awarded for no ball while commentating for the second ODI between Australia women and South Africa women to which he replied, “Oh, well, look, all the rule changes are made in favour of the batters, aren't they? Now, they are talking about awarding 12 for a big six. If you knock the stumps out, maybe two wickets then, eh? Next batter doesn't get a chance to bat!”
The question was asked in the 10th over of Australia’s innings when debutant Ayanda Hlubi overstepped. She was hit for a boundary next ball by Tahlia McGrath.
“2 years I mentioned on commentary that I think a batter should get a 12 if he hits a six over 100m,” Pietersen wrote on X last month.
AB de Villiers felt it was too big a leap from six to 12 runs and suggested, “12 is too big, I think 8 or 9 (upside down 6) is good. Can’t jump from 4 to 6 to 12.”
Starc was rested for the limited-overs series against West Indies. However, he will be making a comeback for the T20I series against New Zealand which will kick off on February 21 in Wellington.
Banter between Starc and Australia captain Alyssa Healy
Australia lost their first-ever women’s ODI match against South Africa. They lost the match by 84 runs (DLS method). Starc questioned the game plan as he felt the length of pacers could have been fuller to trouble South Africa batters.
"Saw the length of the opening pair there, Schutt (Megan) and Kimmie Garth. You reckon they could have bowled a fraction fuller with the help of the wicket. You got the catchers there for Garth... who bowled a holding length and really disciplined lines and length... but maybe a fraction fuller to get those edges," Starc said during the live broadcast.
Responding to this, Healy took a cheeky dig at her husband and left the other commentators in splits as she backed her bowlers’ strengths.
"I think if we are being highly critical, like you are suggesting, then yes, potentially, then Kimmie Garth could have come maybe a fraction fuller, but that is the natural length that she likes to hit and that's her role within our team as well - to get the ball moving and to keep it tight down that end as well. So, yes, if we are being ultra-critical, then maybe," Healy responded.
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