Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc on Saturday (January 29) won his first Allan Border Medal, beating Mitchell Marsh by just one vote to claim the top honour.

Starc picked a total of 43 wickets at 24.4 across all formats during the voting period, which included him playing a vital role in Australia’s 4-0 Ashes win and the maiden T20 World Cup triumph.

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After getting the award, Starc opened on the extreme criticism that has been coming his way. In particular, Australian spin legend Shane Warne is a harsh critic of Starc over the last few years.

Starc admitted that there used to be a time when criticism used to 'spur on him' but that no longer is the case.

"I went through periods years ago where seeing any criticism or different opinions, it was almost like it spurred me on to stick it up them," Starc quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

"A couple of years ago I made that decision to get away from it all ... not pay any attention to it. I've got a wife who plays at the highest level, and I've got a couple of my closest mates who play international cricket.

"So I've got a pretty good sounding board in that regard. That's helped me stay level through some really good stuff and some not-so-good stuff."

During the recently held Ashes series, Warne had suggested that Jhye Richardson should play over Starc at the Gabba. However, the left-armer silenced his critics by dismissing England opener Rory Burns on the very first ball of the match.

Starc returned with 19 wickets at 25.36 in the five Ashes Tests while shouldering more responsibility with Josh Hazelwood missing most of the Ashes. He had also stepped up in the white-ball tour of the Caribbean last year that Pat Cummins missed.

"At times I've certainly bowled better or had better spells than I may have throughout this summer," Starc said.

"But it was perhaps one of my more consistent series. Whether it be outside opinions of that or opinions I've had of myself, that's always been one that I've wanted to be better at."