Image Credit- AFP
Mitchell Starc, who has taken the most wickets in the
last two One-day Men’s World Cups, grinned broadly as he walked into the
post-match press conference after helping Australia defeat South Africa in a
run chase with the bat. He did, however, accept that bowler Mitchell Starc
hasn’t performed up to pace in this World Cup and praised Josh Hazlewood, his
opening partner, and his other colleagues for a well-rounded effort.
“It was probably not the tournament that we would
like from the get-go, but it was nice to step up in a big game.” said
Starc.
About playing India in the final, and taking on the
only unbeaten side in the tournament, Starc was matter-of-factly in his
response, accepting that it’s unlikely that a team would win a World Cup
without beating the best side of the World Cup, and that the two sides were no
strangers to big occasions.
“That’s why we play the game, we take on the
best, they’ve been the best in the tournament so far, and that’s why we find
oursleves in the final. That’s what World Cups are about. It’s a big occasion,
a World Cup final. Both teams played each other in the Test final earlier this
year, soI don’t think either change room is new to big occasions. It’s going to
be loud and passionate, and it’s just going to be a great spectacle and
everyone in our changeroom look forward to the occasion.”