Veteran fast bowler Mitchell Starc lost his composure during the Boxing Day Test between Australia and South Africa when he saw Proteas batter Theunis de Bruyn back too far from the non-end. striker’s The 32-year-old didn’t try to run him out, but he did give his opponent a fair warning instead.
The incident happened during the ninth over’s final ball. He was approaching the crease at full speed but stopped when he noticed de Bruyn moving well in advance of the crease. The speedster instructed the batter to remain in the crease and emphasised that doing so is not particularly difficult.
“Just stay in your crease, it’s not that hard. The line’s there for a reason, mate,” Mitchell Starc said in their brief interaction.
Starc said "Stay in the crease, it's not that hard".pic.twitter.com/UwYATAjCRZ
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 29, 2022
“That’s a frustrated fast bowler right there. He’s got a lot to deal with at the moment. You’d have to expect he’s in a fair deal of discomfort due to that finger,” Adam Gilchrist remarked from the commentary box.
Australia seal the series with one match to go
The Proteas batsmen were left perplexed by the Australian team’s shrewd bowling performance as the Dean Elgar-led squad lost the Boxing Day Test by an innings and 182 runs. The South African squad required an incredible performance in the second innings after a poor showing with both bat and ball in the first innings, but they were unable to deliver a match-saving effort.
Temba Bavuma, the white-ball captain, scored a valiant 65 off 144 deliveries, but no other cricketer was able to stand with him in the middle as the Pat Cummins-led team wreaked havoc at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
South Africa is on the verge of a whitewash as the hosts lead the series 2-0 at this point. The victory also aided Australia in maintaining its lead in the World Test Championship standings since they are currently very close to making the finals.