Australia pacer Mitchell Starc suggested that missing out on playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has left him slightly financially strained. However, he doesn’t regret the decision, given his magnificent form in Test cricket.
He has repeatedly stayed away from the cash-rich league and lent more importance to keeping himself fit for international cricket. Starc has also not played in the Big Bash League (BBL) since the 2014-15 season. He hasn’t played the IPL since 2015.
Speaking ahead of the first Test against South Africa, Starc said, as quoted by cricket.com.au:
“It’s not been great for the back pocket. If I look at the last couple of years of Test cricket, that decision has certainly helped it. They’ve probably been my most consistent couple of years in Test cricket. Mentally and physically it’s been hugely beneficial and probably paid for itself.”
“They’re two of my closest mates who are a couple of the best bowlers in the world” – Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc, who has been an integral part of the Australian side for almost a decade now, talked about how a slight mental shift has helped him perform better as he started ignoring criticisms against him.
“I was someone who listened to and read everything. And then that year we had multiple broadcasters start (when Seven and Fox won the television rights for the 2018-19 summer), everyone coming in with radio and whatever, that’s when it really doubled down on the noise and it really got away from me. That’s where I learnt it was best to let things go and only worry about the groups that mattered most to me.”
Mitchell Starc further said that he has picked up a few tricks from his fellow pacers, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins and talks about how the four of them work to take wickets.
“Picking up things along the way from Josh and Pat – it’d be extremely stupid of me if I didn’t work closely with those two. They’re two of my closest mates who are a couple of the best bowlers in the world.
“I’ve picked up a few thing along the way from them – we often talk about cricket and I’ve picked up a few things, whether it be the wobble seam or how they go about it. That’s one thing our group does really well, but specifically the four of us bowlers who are extremely close,” he concluded.
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