‘When even Sachin struggled’: Ricky Ponting on spell that proved Mitchell Starc was special
Mitchell Starc, one of Australia’s greatest modern-day fast bowlers, announced his retirement from T20 international cricket today, closing a glittering chapter that saw him lift the T20 World Cup in 2021 and dominate with his deadly left-arm pace across formats.
The 35-year-old, who already boasts over 725 international wickets and a career studded with two ODI World Cup triumphs and a World Test Championship crown, will now focus on prolonging his red-ball career and other formats.
As tributes pour in for Starc’s legacy, former Australia captain and ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting took a trip down memory lane, recalling the exact moment he and his teammates realised Starc was destined for greatness.
Ponting revisited the fiery 2012 WACA Test against India — just Starc’s third appearance — where the young quick rattled the legendary Sachin Tendulkar with raw pace and steep bounce.
"I remember, he was bowling a spell to Sachin Tendulkar and was able to sort of bowl a short one, get up under Sachin's armpit and Sachin just sort of knocked one into short leg on the leg side," Ponting told The ICC Review.
"And when you could see that sort of pace and bounce and have someone like Sachin not be able to cope with it, I think that was the reassurance for all of us that there was probably something extra special there for Mitchell Starc."
Ponting praised Starc’s phenomenal 16-year journey that includes 100 Tests, more than 400 wickets in the format, and devastating spells like his career-best 6/9 against West Indies in Jamaica last week — a match where he also became the second-fastest bowler to reach 400 Test wickets.
"He's really now stacking up an amazing career — over 400 Test match wickets. I think everyone who laid eyes on him as a youngster understood that he could be a 100-Test match, 400 or 500-wicket fast bowler for Australia," Ponting said.
With a towering frame, relentless pace, ability to swing the new ball and now an arsenal that includes the wobble-seam delivery, Starc’s hunger to evolve has cemented his place as one of the finest fast bowlers of his generation.