It is the World Cup time. Just a few hours left for the tournament. Fans are ready to cheer for their team. They all are suffering from cricket fever. All teams are ready to take on new challenges. This is the biggest stage. In that stage, everyone wants to give their absolute best. World Cup 2023 is raising its curtain on October 5. England and New Zealand will be locking horns in the inaugural game.
Australia has been the most successful team over the years in the World Cup. They won five World Cup titles. This is the most among all teams. Under Ricky Ponting’s captaincy, they won two consecutive World Cup titles. They will be trying hard in that edition too.
Australia has always been the power factory of talent. Australian cricket has produced several cricket legends over the years. From Glenn Mcgrath to Ricky Ponting, Steve Smith, David Warner, and many others. In the World Cricket, Aussies are known for their cricketing brains. They are going to use it in every possible way for this World Cup.
Though, the Aussies have several talents, who will be the ‘X-Factor’ for them? Australia has a lot of talent but every team needs a special player, who will help them to achieve the ultimate goal. In this article, we will be discussing who will be the ‘X-Factor’ of the team.
The ‘X-Factor’:
Australia has always been one of the strongest opponents over the years. They have equal talents in every format. But a team always needs a ‘X-Factor’ in big tournaments like this. ‘X-Factor’ is someone who can make a difference among others, who can win the game for the team, who can take the team close to the goal. Now the question is who is that ‘X- X-Factor’ for the team?
No, it is not Smith, Warner, or Maxwell. It is Mitchell Starc. Yes, the experienced left-arm fast bowler can make the ultimate difference with others. Though the Indian conditions help spin more this bowler has played a lot of matches on Indian soil. He has achieved a lot in these situations too. He can help Australia to achieve the goal.
This speed star made his debut for Australia in ODI, back in 2010 against India, at Visakhapatnam. Till then, he played 111 ODI matches for his team. In these matches, he took 220 wickets. His bowling economy rate is 5.13. He has twelve 4-wicket records and nine 5-wicket records in this format.
What makes him perfect as “X-Factor’:
He has been a phenomenal bowler for Australia over the years. He has been the no 1 fast bowler in Australia. He has years of experience playing against India in India. He is well aware of Indian conditions. He knows how he can get the desired success on this soil.
In the 2014-15 Carlton Mid International Tri-Series, Mitchell Starc took 6 wickets in just 43 runs against India. In that match, Starc was just unstoppable. He gave two maiden overs in the match which controlled the opposition. He just controlled Indian batters on his terms. His aggression, sharp cricketing brain, and proper execution of the plans gave him the ultimate success.
Recently, in the 2022-23 India vs Australia 2nd ODI, Mitchell Starc got a five-wicket haul. He gave 53 runs and picked a total of 5 wickets in this match. He maintained his economy rate of 6.63 in the match. He has an exceptional talent for giving maiden overs and letting the opponent control the match. In this match, Starc got vital wickets. Indian batters were just helpless in front of Sterc’s magnificent pace.
Also Read:- England’s Secret Weapon: unveiling the ‘X-factor’ for World Cup 2023
Those are just two examples of the bowler where he has shown the master class. He always controlled the opponent and gave the ultimate success to the team. He has done the same in the 2015 World Cup. The 2023 World Cup will be a big stage for him. He has years of experience of playing in India. He can pick important wickets at the right time. He can be the perfect ‘ X-Factor’ for Australia in this World Cup.
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