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Mohammad Kaif, the former Indian cricketer, talked about how Mitchell Starc is an overrated bowler during the ongoing clash between Australia and New Zealand in the ODI World Cup 2023 on Saturday, October 28. At the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, the Australian left-arm fast bowler struggled for control and accuracy in his bowling spell, with the Blackcaps batters taking him to the cleaners.
For the unversed, the New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss in the morning and decided to send the opposition into batting first. The opening duo of David Warner and the returning Travis Head were exemplary with the bat from the start, stitching together a 175-run opening stand within just 20 overs.
Also Watch: Travis Head scores 59-ball century in his maiden ODI World Cup 2023 match
Travis Head top scored for Australia with 109 off just 67, which included 10 fours and seven maximums, while his partner David Warner wasn’t left far behind, notching up 81 off 65 with five fours and six maximums. Their contributions were critical for the five-time world champions to put a massive score of 388 on the board.
But, the New Zealand openers Devon Conway and Will Young started the mammoth run chase impressively, scoring 18 runs off the first two overs of Mitchell Starc. Despite the lacklustre start from the Australian left-arm fast bowler, his partner Josh Hazlewood picked up crucial wickets to keep their team’s noses in front.
The next two spells from the 33-year-old were far from ideal, with his figures reading 56 runs in six overs, which prompted Mohammad Kaif, in his commentary stint with Star Sports, to say that, “Mitchell Starc is an overrated bowler.” Irrespective of the major verdict from the former Indian cricketer, the fact remains that Mitchell Starc has picked up 56 wickets in just 23 matches of the ODI World Cup, winning the title at home eight years ago.
