'Isse bachke rehna hai' - Fans react as 'WC year merchant' Mitchell Starc wins Player of the Series award in Ashes 2023

Mitchell Starc (Source: Twitter)

The inclusion of Mitchell Starc in Ashes 2023 has been fruitful for the visiting side. The left-arm fast-medium bowler did not play the first Test in Edgbaston. From the second Test, the pacer provided the required variety for the Australian attack with his pace and swing. The 33-year-old ended the series as the highest wicket-taker despite playing a Test less.  

In 4 Test matches in the series, Starc claimed 23 wickets at an average of 27.09, at a very good bowling strike rate of 33.43, including a five-wicket haul. The Southpaw was handy with the bat as well, as he scored some crucial runs down the order. The tall pacer took some fine catches and fielded well throughout the series near the fine leg region.   

A wicket-taker in all the matches

In the second Test at the home of cricket, Starc claimed 3/88 in the first innings and 3/79 in the second innings and helped Australia to win the Test by 43 runs. The pace of Starc made the difference in the Test and forced England to bring in Mark Wood for the third Test. At Headingley, Starc claimed 2/59 in the first innings and 5/78 in the second innings. Despite the efforts of Starc, Australia lost the Test. The fourth Test of the series ended in a draw, thanks to the rain interruption. In the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Starc scored an unbeaten 36(93) with the bat and claimed 2/137 with the ball. The fifth Test at The Oval saw the World Test Championship winner claim 4/82 in the first innings and 4/100 in the second innings.   

In the year of the ODI World Cup, Starc will usually be in fine form, as a matter of coincidence. Since 2023 is an ODI World Cup year, it is probably bringing the best in the New South Wales pacer. The former World Cup winner has claimed 37 wickets so far in the calendar year across formats for Australia. Before the big tournament, the form of Starc will be a big positive for Australia. 

Here's how the fans reacted to the performances of Starc :

Isse bachke rehna hai plus Boult no other worries tbh bcoz we will bash Woakes and Wood 😂

— Juggernaut (@AlexHales2001) August 1, 2023

Ek hamari team hai, jo wc ke time mein out of form ho jaati hai.

— Mr Om🌬️ (@MrOm14852020) August 1, 2023

Har world cup year mei iske andar McGrath ki aatma aa jati h

— DEVASHISH UPRETI (@devashishupreti) August 1, 2023

He can’t perform on spin tracks

— tweet chor (@py_chief) August 1, 2023

All to be beaten up by the KING hopefully

— Shashank Rana (@Shashank_Rana_) August 1, 2023

😥isko bhi wc year me hi form me aana hota h bc

— Sarcaster (@sarcaster779) August 1, 2023

Either Ashes or World Cup Starc always perform in Big Occasion

— dotΞxe (@dotexe786) August 1, 2023

World Cup year & Starc in form is a big worry for India

— Varad Tamhankar (@Varad_Tamhankar) August 1, 2023

Average Starc performance in World Cup year

— Anisha 🕉️ (@An8hul32) August 1, 2023

Bodied those ipl kids

— Sahil (@kaizar_sahil) August 1, 2023