Mitchell Starc Reveals Its Exciting to Play the World Cup

Aussie speedster Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell have expressed their delight and excitement with the prospect of defending the World Cup title in England next year.

Meanwhile, the ICC also confirmed the dates of all matches scheduled to be played in the tournament.

Starc was adjudged the Player of the Series in the 2015 World Cup which Australia won in front of their home crowd. They defeated New Zealand quite comprehensively in the final to clinch h their 5^th World Cup title.

Mitchell Starc said the 2019 tournament would provide Australia with the opportunity to show the word the class and talent the team possess.

“There is nothing more exciting in one-day cricket than playing in a World Cup, said Starc. “With the tournament only happening every four years, it’s a unique event to play a part in. Winning the 2015 World Cup in front of our home crowd was an amazing feeling, and we can’t wait to visit England next year to defend our title,” he added.

The most successful team in the tournament will start their title defence against ICC World Cup Qualifiers winners Afghanistan on June 1 in Bristol. They meet New Zealand in a repeat of the 2015 final at Lord’s on 29^th June.

“Beginning our campaign against Afghanistan will be a great occasion, as will be playing New Zealand at Lord’s in a repeat of 2015 final,” said Starc.

The speedster, Starc bagged 22 wickets in the 2015 World Cup which eventually helped him win the Man of the Series Award.

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Barring the match against New Zealand, Australia will be playing three more matches in London – against India on Oval 9, and against Sri Lanka on June 15.

Meanwhile, they will lock horns against hosts England on 25^th June. Last time when Australia played India in London, they won the group fixture of the 1999 World Cup quite comprehensively by 77 runs.

Australia won the World Cup in 1999 but not before a couple of enthralling contest especially against South Africa in the Semi-final. The match ended in a tie and Australia went through to the final for losing lesser wickets.

Maxwell said it would be a great opportunity for him if he does get the chance to appear in the 2019 World Cup.

Maxwell expresses his desire to be part of the 2019 World Cup squad

“If selected it would be a great opportunity to take Australia to back to back World Cups, it would be pretty special for our young playing group,” said Maxwell, who has scored 2,069 runs and taken 45 wickets in 81 ODIs to date.

“We are going to be led by a different captain than we were in the 2015 edition and it would be a great effort for our team to prove everyone wrong that we have slipped a little bit in the rankings. It would be nice to show the world what sort of class we do have in the team at this World Cup.

“Going in as defending champions to the Cricket World Cup, maybe puts on a little bit of pressure, but playing in different conditions takes the edge off as well. And also us having a different squad to that of 2015 will take the edge off as well,” Maxwell concluded.