'Went Back To Things That Were Strengths Of Mine' : Mitchell Starc On Defending 11 Against Andre Russell In The Final Over

Australia star pacer Mitchell Starc delivered a stunning final over in the 4th T20I against the West Indies in Gros Islet to eke out a four-run win for the tourists. Mitchell Starc defended 11 runs in the final over against Andre Russell as Australia picked up their first victory of the tour. The 31-year old revealed that he went back to his strengths, helping him to do the job.

Mitchell Starc had been rusty in the first two games, snaring figures of 8-89-0. But the left-arm seamer began finding his stride from the third T20I, finishing with 4-0-15-1, albeit in a losing cause. Though Starc conceded 37 runs in four overs without a wicket, he did a commendable job in the final over. With Riley Meredith leaking 25 runs in the 19th over to bring the equation to 11 from the final one, it was West Indies’ game to lose. But the 31-year old gave away only six runs in that.

Mitchell Starc stated that bowling the death overs has been his primary job for the most part of his white-ball career. The New South Wales seamer admitted to having gotten wrong against Andre Russell in the past, revealing he was in two minds in the opening game.

“Having played a fair amount of white-ball cricket, it (bowling in the last five overs) has been a job of mine for the majority of my white-ball career. I’ve certainly got it wrong against ‘Russ’ in the past — game one is a prime example where I was probably bowling to plans that I was in two minds about,” Starc told Cricket.com.au.

I don’t think I was bowling to plans I was comfortable for in the first game: Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc further highlighted that his strength is to deliver in the blockhole and regrets no backing it earlier. The 31-year old revealed that one needs to trust themselves in the shortest format as being in two thoughts would put anyone behind in the game. Starc continued saying he went away from his strengths and addressed the same after the first T20I. The left-arm seamer that he has been on track since the last three matches.

“I probably didn’t back those plans personally. To go back to what a strength of mine is and just to hit that hole — I think that’s ultimately what you need to do in T20 cricket; back your ability, back your decision. If you run in with two thoughts on your mind, you’re behind the game already. I don’t think I was bowling to plans I was comfortable for in the first game. I went away from my strengths. I thought those plans weren’t right and we addressed that after game one. Personally, went back to things that were strengths of mine. The last three games I’ve been back on track,” he added.

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