Ashes 2017/18: Graeme Swann Says Mitchell Starc's Delivery Was Unplayable

Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann believes that Mitchell Starc’s delivery to James Vince would have been unplayable for the little master Sachin Tendulkar and would have got him out 1000 times. Australian fast bowler, Mitchell Starc unarguably bowled the ball of the Ashes and most probably of the year when he clean bowled England batsman James Vince on the fourth day of the third Ashes Test.

Many former players and pundits have hailed the delivery as the ball of the summer and probably the ball of the Ashes. Coming from around the wickets, Starc bowled a delivery angling back into the right-handed batsman, but the ball hit one of the cracks on the WACA pitch and deviated to knock out his off stump. Vince tried to flick the ball towards mid-wicket but was bedazzled entirely by how the ball behaved after pitching.

However, the cricketing fraternity is divided on the debate that some have called the delivery as the ball of the century and some have denied it and have said that it’s just an exaggeration. Swann however, believes it certainly was the ball of the century. He said:

 “People who are saying it is an exaggeration do not know the game of cricket. Left arm around at 90 m/ph, seaming more than a guy can spin the ball, that is the best ball I’ve seen live in Test cricket. People say it’s not because it hit the crack, Shane Warne’s ball of the century landed in a foot hole. Get a perspective, that ball is getting Sachin Tendulkar out 1000 times out of 1000, Don Bradman 1000 out of 1000, Steve Smith 1000 out of 1000. It is unplayable.” 

Sharing his opinion on James Vince and his innings he said:

“I feel for James it was a magnificent 55. I honestly believe it was his coming through of ages as a Test player. He looked completely untroubled, he was playing with ease, timing the ball gorgeous on the eyes to watch. It was the only way he was gonna get out, a miracle and a miracle came along for Mitchell Starc.”