- Family member called on Mitchell Starc to stand down or die
- Left arm quick has failed to fire in the ODI tournament
- Starc, 33, is married to Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy
Australian cricket great Ian Healy has raised eyebrows after highlighting Mitchell Starc’s poor form with the new ball ahead of the ODI World Cup semi-final against South Africa.
Starc, 33, is one of the best white-ball bowlers in world cricket but has struggled in the tournament in India during the powerplay, managing to take just four wickets.
According to the stats, Healy called on his cousin to break the Proteas’ top spot – whether his place in the XI if Australia progress to the final could be in jeopardy in his eyes.
Starc is married to fellow star cricketer Alyssa Healy, who happens to be the niece of the decorated ex-Aussie wicketkeeper.
“If we don’t leave South Africa one or two wickets behind in the powerplay then it will be a big total to chase,” Healy said on SEN Radio.
Australian cricket great Ian Healy has raised eyebrows after addressing Mitchell Starc’s poor form with the new ball ahead of the ODI World Cup semi-final against South Africa
Starc – who was a junior wicketkeeper before returning to pace bowling – recently took the opportunity to work with Alex Carey pre-game with the gloves (pictured)
“Is (Starc) still a powerful force? He hasn’t been powerful at all in this tournament.
‘Ten wickets from eight matches is not bad, but where is he taking these wickets? He won’t be powerful at all until he gets it right and targets the stumps much better than he has.
“He must be much, much better.”
Starc admitted he has not been at his best throughout the tournament but is relishing the chance to ‘have an impact on the pointy end’.
Meanwhile, images of Starc donning wicket gloves while warming up for a recent match in the subcontinent immediately became a talking point online.
Wife of speedy Alyssa Healy – a champion wicketkeeper for the Australian women’s team – is said to be ‘shocked’ at seeing him behind the stumps
The paceman told it cricket.com.au he was just having ‘a bit of fun on tour’ and took the opportunity to work with teammate Alex Carey ahead of the match.
His wife Alyssa Healy – a champion wicketkeeper for the Australian women’s team – is said to be ‘shocked’ by the vision.
She wrote on social media “There’s so much wrong with it” after seeing his glove work.
“I think she was more shocked by the fact that I had a short-sleeved shirt on,” Starc joked.
“(She) criticized my footwork and probably something else, so every time she picks up a ball and decides to bowl into the nets, it’s a free pass now.”
Australia will take on South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday from 7.30pm AEDT for a place in the ODI final.