Mitchell Starc (Source: @cricketcomau/X.com)
Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has had a long, impressive, and impactful career, especially in international cricket, where he dominated across all three formats. Now, the left-hander has decided to hang up his boots from T20I cricket, as he will no longer represent Australia in the shortest format.
After his retirement, having played 65 T20Is for Australia, Starc has managed to claim 79 wickets at an average of 23.81. Therefore, in this article, we will reminisce about the best bowling performances by Mitchell Starc in T20I cricket for Australia over the years.
5) 3/26 vs Sri Lanka, Pallekele & Colombo, 2016 & 2022
At number five on this list are Mitchell Starc's joint fifth-highest performances, which both occurred against Sri Lanka in 2016 and 2022, respectively, at Pallekele and Colombo, as Starc registered identical figures against Sri Lanka of 3 for 26 on both occasions. In the 2016 T20I, Australia were playing Sri Lanka in the first T20I, where, on the back of Glenn Maxwell's 145 not out off 65 deliveries, Australia scored a mammoth 263, while Sri Lanka could only reach 178 as Starc's figures stifled their batting lineup.
On the other hand, the other 3/26 figures came in 2022 in the first T20I at Colombo, where Sri Lanka were bowled out for a paltry 128, thanks to Starc's 3 for 26 and Josh Hazlewood's 4 for 16, as Australia chased the score comfortably without losing a wicket, winning by 10 wickets, courtesy of skipper Aaron Finch's 61 not out and David Warner's 70 not out.
4) 3/23 vs South Africa, Cape Town, 2020
At fourth position is Starc's spell against South Africa back in 2020 in Cape Town. Australia were playing South Africa in the third T20I of the series, where the visitors were able to put up 193 runs on the board, thanks to some fluent batting, especially from Warner and Finch. In reply, South Africa were bowled out for a paltry 96 thanks to Starc's figures of 3 for 23 in his 2.3 overs, while Ashton Agar picked up 3 for 16 in his four overs. South Africa could never recover from the jolt, as the Australian side won comfortably by 97 runs.
3) 3/20 vs Pakistan, Colombo, 2012
At number three is Starc's third-highest bowling performance, which occurred against Pakistan in 2012 during the T20 World Cup in Colombo. It was the 23rd match of group two, where Pakistan batted first and put up 149 runs on the board for the loss of six wickets. Nasir Jamshed scored 55, while in reply, Starc registered excellent figures of 3 for 20 in his four overs, as Pakistan's run rate was curbed due to Starc's excellent bowling performance.
However, despite this excellent effort, the Australian batting lineup failed to chase down 150, as they could only manage 117 by the end of the 20 overs, losing seven wickets. Michael Hussey scored 54 not out, but unfortunately, Australia were unable to reach the target.
2) 3/11 vs Pakistan, Dubai, 2012
The second-best performance by Mitchell Starc also came against Pakistan, but this time in Dubai during the same year, 2012. It was the third T20I of the series, in which Australia were playing Pakistan in Dubai. The Australian side batted first, scoring 168 for 7, with David Warner piling 59.
Whereas in reply, Pakistan were bowled out for a measly 74, thanks to Starc's excellent bowling figures of 3 for 11 in his 3.1 overs, as Pat Cummins also registered outstanding numbers of 3 for 15 in his four overs, as the Pakistan side couldn't win, thanks to these two excellent bowling efforts.
1) 4/20 vs West Indies, Brisbane, 2022
The best figures by Mitchell Starc in T20I cricket came in 2022, when Australia played the West Indies at the Gabba in Brisbane. In the second T20I of the series, the Australian side put up a score of 178 for 7 after 20 overs, where opener David Warner scored a blistering 75 off 41 deliveries.
However, in reply, the West Indies could only manage 147 for 8 after 20 overs, as Mitchell Starc claimed four crucial wickets of Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Puran, Jason Holder, and Odean Smith, with figures of 4 for 20 in his 4 overs, bowling at an economy of just 5. The West Indies couldn't reach home in this encounter, and the home side won comfortably by 31 runs in the end.
The left-arm pacer has had an impactful career, especially in Twenty20 cricket for Australia, where he has been dominant with the ball, making life difficult for batters, who won't have to face him anymore, in the 20-over international format.
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