CWC 2019: Defeat against India was the turning point for Australia in the World Cup, says Mitchell Starc

The defending champions routed New Zealand by 86 runs at Lord's on Saturday.

Starc has played a key role in Australia's success | Getty

Mitchell Starc now sees loss to India earlier on as the turning point to Australia's World Cup campaign in UK. The left-arm pacer is pleased how everyone in the change room felt spurred on after that defeat and is relishing his team's successful run towards the semi-finals. 

"There's a calmness around the whole group, even when things aren't happening for us. Since India, we've taken wickets in the middle regularly. We were all a little off in that India game," Starc, tournament's leading wicket-taker with 24 scalps, said after bowling a terrific spell of 5/26 in Australia's successful defence of 243/9 and victory over New Zealand by 86 runs at Lord's on Saturday (June 29). 

"We didn't start well today but to scrap to a good score was fantastic for the middle order. I'm stoked to be playing a part in this World Cup. Our chances are as good as any team, always spoke about peaking ahead of the tournament."

Jason Behrendorff (2/31) and Pat Cummins (1/14) delivered fine spells too as Australia bundled out the Kiwis for only 157 in 43.4 overs. 

"We've got guys who are ready to go at different stages of the bowling innings. Jason has been fantastic in the past two innings, he's taken his opportunity with both hands," Starc added. 

"We're finding ways to win. I think a big part of that is our calmness and I think that's probably led by Finchie (skipper Aaron Finch). He's been fantastic as a captain."

During the run-chase, Starc got the all-important wicket of Black Caps skipper and one of the world's best batsmen Kane Williamson on 40 to kickstart a middle-order collapse. "It was a worn wicket, so we probably had the rub of the conditions bowling second on that. It's a great result today but one win isn't going to win the World Cup," Starc said, before congratulating David Warner, World Cup's current highest run-scorer, as he'll be becoming a father to a third child on Sunday (June 30). 

"He packed his bag pretty quick. I think he's out there enjoying the win, and tomorrow (Sunday) he'll be a dad for the third time.  Good luck to the Warners and I think when we see him in Manchester, he'll have his hands full again," he concluded. 

(Inputs from AFP)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 30 Jun, 2019

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