Mitchell Starc bags his first Allan Border Medal

Mitchell Starc trumped Mitchell Marsh by one vote as the former got crowned with his first Allan Border Medal on Saturday. 

In a season that included 21 matches across all three formats for Starc, the pacer put on a clinical show as he claimed 43 wickets at an average of 24.4 and silenced his critics in the process.

The voting period included five Ashes Test matches, three ODIs and 22 T20s between January 26 last year to January 18 of the current year.

"I’m not really sure what words to say at the moment. It was a huge surprise. To look at some of those names who have won it before, it’ll take a bit to sink in. Hugely honoured to receive this award," Starc said on Channel Seven after receiving the top honour.

Starc's performance before the Ashes did not impress many, including Australia spin legend Shane Warne. The former Aussie bowler has been quite vocal about Starc's mediocre outings with the ball.

When asked about the criticism he received from Warne's end, Starc added that it does not 'interest' him. What would you like me to speak to him about? It doesn’t interest me at all. He’s entitled to his opinion. I’m just going to go about my cricket in the way I’d like to. I’ve got my family and support networks and I get to play cricket with some of my best mates. I’m pretty comfortable with where I’m at," Starc told reporters.

"I went through periods years ago where seeing any criticism or different opinions [would] spur me on to stick it up [the critics]. A couple of years ago, I made that decision to get away from it all. I think that’s helped me stay pretty level," Starc concluded.

Apart from Starc, Ashleigh Gardner bagged Belinda Clark Award as she became the first Indigenous winner of the prestigious Australian honour.