Mitchell Starc has just been a ferocious beast for Australia in ODI’s, and his numbers just second that view. Starc, who has been the best ODI pacer around for a couple of years now, was at his ultimate best when the Kangaroos won the 2015 World Cup at home. With 22 scalps in the tournament, Starc was deservingly named the Man of the Series.
As Starc recovers from his injury with the tri-series in West Indies in mind, the Australians have sought the services of former South African pacer Allan Donald. With Craig McDermott not renewing his contract with Cricket Australia (CA) as the bowling coach, Donald is bound to be his successor. In his formal chat with cricket.com.au, Donald was in full awe of Starc and called the left arm pacer as an “animal”.
“I’ve worked with Mitch over here at RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore) and I always judge people on how they lead with the ball,” Donald told cricket.com.au. “He’s a very highly skilled individual and he showed that in the (2015) World Cup. “He’s just a different animal with the ball in his hand. “New ball or old ball he’s ferocious and bowls 150 clicks with the new ball. “And we’ve seen what he’s done over here with RCB in the Twenty20s when he bowls at the death – he’s hard to stop.”
Donald also praised budding pacers Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson. However, the former South African pacer maintained that Starc would undoubtedly lead Australia’s bowling attack. “You see with James Pattinson and Starc and Josh Hazlewood, I’ve seen them a lot on TV,” Donald said. “I know Mitchell as an individual and leader with the ball, but the other guys I still have to tap into their psyche and philosophy and get to know them a little bit better. “They love giving you a crack and they don’t back away from a good fight. “For me it’s how many leaders we can create within a bowling group has always been key.”