Mitchell Starc, Australia's left-arm pacer, credited the exceptional start provided by himself and Josh Hazlewood in the initial ten overs as pivotal in steering the five-time champions to the title clash against India in the upcoming final at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Reflecting on their performance in the semi-final victory over South Africa, Starc highlighted the significance of their strong showing during the powerplay, a phase that hadn't been their strength throughout the tournament. Starc emphasized the effectiveness of their early wickets, reducing South Africa to 24/4 in the first 12 overs, a key factor in their triumph at the Eden Gardens.
Starc praised Hazlewood's bowling precision, noting the similarity in his performance to his effectiveness in Test matches. Their combined effort in the powerplay and maintaining momentum through the middle overs exemplified the start Australia aims for in matches of such magnitude.
Acknowledging the challenge ahead against an undefeated Indian team in the final, Starc expressed enthusiasm for facing the best teams in such high-stakes contests, emphasizing the essence of World Cup competitions.
Having encountered India previously in significant finals like the 2003 World Cup and the recent World Test Championship, where Australia emerged victorious, Starc underscored the familiarity of both teams with high-pressure situations. He anticipated a loud, passionate, and competitive atmosphere, characterizing the impending final as a fantastic spectacle of cricket.
Starc concluded by highlighting the excitement within the Australian camp, expressing eagerness for the upcoming final while acknowledging the differing pressures that will accompany various stages of the match. Overall, he anticipated a thrilling spectacle and emphasized the team's readiness for this significant occasion.
(With Agency Inputs)
