How veteran Australian paceman Mitchell Starc made his critics eat their words when it mattered during the ODI World Cup

Veteran paceman Mitchell Starc proved that form is temporary and class is permanent after playing a leading role in Australia’s victory over South Africa to reach the ODI World Cup final.

Starc, 33, was called up for his inability to take early wickets heading into the clash with the Proteas, but the left-armer quickly answered his critics after taking 3/34 from his 10 overs.

He dismissed Temba Bavuma for a duck in the first over, before picking up in-form batsman Aiden Markram not long afterwards.

Heading into the semi-finals, Starc had taken just four wickets in the tournament’s powerplay at an average of 34.75 – and 10 wickets in total at 43.90.

But the hour comes, the man comes.

Australian cricket greats Ricky Ponting and Ian Healy both called on Australian pace trio Starc, Josh Hazelwood and Pat Cummins to perform on the biggest stage – and they did so in emphatic style.

Hazelwood finished with the incredible figures of 2/12 from eight overs – the most economical figures by an Australian bowler in an ODI in 17 years – and Cummins took three wickets.

To cap off an impressive performance, Starc also made a priceless 16 not out with the bat as he and Cummins (14 not out) took the Aussies home with 16 balls to spare.

It was the perfect response from Starc, who would no doubt have been stung by the criticism from Healy, a family member.

Starc is married to Alyssa Healy, the niece of the decorated Australian wicketkeeper.

Australia have now won eight matches in the subcontinent and will relish the underdog tag in Sunday’s decider against India, who remain unbeaten.

“The good thing is that some of us have been to a final before, so we can take advantage of that,” Cummins said.

‘The stadium will be quite one-sided, I think. So you just have to embrace it and enjoy it.”