Mitchell Starc Takes A Subtle Dig At Shane Warne After Winning The Allan Border Medal

Australian speedster Mitchell Starc has responded to the criticism of spin legend Shane Warne that he made about him ahead of the Ashes series. Warne backed Jhye Richardson to replace an out-of-form Starc in the Test series. Warne had some serious criticism against Mitchell Starc who he thought was out of form and needed some rhythm in his bowling.

“He needs to find a bit of rhythm and some form. He had a really poor [T20] World Cup. He’s just not bowling well enough. It’s too important at the Gabba. So I’m all for Jhye Richardson” Warne said of Starc.

As it turned out, Mitchell Starc ended the Ashes series with 19 wickets and played all five Tests. Australia won the series 4-0 and Starc was awarded the prestigious Allan Border medal for his performances which is awarded to the most outstanding male Australian cricketer each year. Starc also responded to Warne’s criticism saying that it does not affect him in any way.

It Doesn’t Interest Me At All: Mitchell Starc On Shane Warne’s Criticism

“I think, what was it? It was a straight half-volley on leg stump I think someone (Warne) said. What would you like me to speak to him (Warne) about? It doesn’t interest me at all. He’s (Shane Warne) entitled to his opinion. I’m just going to go about my cricket the way I’d like to, and I’ve got my family support networks and I get to play cricket with some of my best mates, so I’m pretty comfortable with where I’m at,” he said speaking to Cricket Australia.

Mitchell Starc started his Ashes series by dismissing Rory Burns in the very first ball of the first Test at The Gabba. He dismissed the England opener by getting him bowled round his legs.

“You’re running in just trying to hit the stumps I guess. It was a straight half-volley on leg stump, I think someone said,” Starc said recalling Burns’ dismissal.

Starc is the first bowler to win the award since Australian captain Pat Cummins back in 2019, and his win made it eight straight years of a New South Wales native taking out the honour. He said that only the opinion of his wife Alyssa Healy and his family members matters to him and not anyone else’s.

“I’ve got a wife who plays at the highest level and a couple of my closest mates who play international cricket, so I’ve got a pretty good sounding board in that regard,” Starc added.

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