Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc is in a lethal form in the ongoing Cricket World Cup. On Saturday (6th July), Starc equalled a massive bowling record in CWC history, and he is ready to break it soon.
Ahead of their semi-final game of the ongoing 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, Australia played their last round-robin stage match of this tournament against South Africa at Old Trafford (Manchester). South Africa batted first in this match and managed a big total of 325/6 (50 overs). Among the South African batsmen, captain Faf du Plessis scored 100 runs, and Rassie van der Dussen scored 95 runs.
On the other hand, among the Aussie bowlers, off-spinner Nathan Lyon (2/53) and the left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc (2/59) picked up two wickets each in that innings.
Taking two wickets in this match, Starc has picked up 26 wickets in the ongoing 2019 CWC. It is the joint most wickets for a bowler in a single CWC edition. Before Starc, the former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath was the lone record holder as he took 26 wickets in 2007 CWC. In that edition, McGrath bagged 26 wickets in 11 matches with an average of 13.73 and economy rate of 4.41. Meanwhile, Starc has taken 26 wickets in this edition after playing nine games (average 16.61 and economy rate 5.18).
In the upcoming semi-final of the ongoing CWC, Starc will get a chance to create a new record in this list.
Mitchell Starc is closer to become the fastest bowler to complete 50 CWC wickets
On the other hand, Starc has taken 48 wickets in 17 matches of his CWC career. While Starc is currently the sixth most wicket-taker in CWC history, he has an excellent chance to become the fastest bowler to complete 50 wickets in CWC history.
Earlier in this CWC edition, Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga became the fastest bowler to complete 50 wickets in CWC history. He achieved this feat in 25 CWC innings and broke the previous joint record of Glenn McGrath and Muttiah Muralitharan. Both those former bowlers completed their 50 CWC wickets in 30 CWC matches.
So, Starc is well ahead and has an excellent chance to become the fastest bowler to complete 50 CWC wickets.