Australia left many surprised by leaving out Mitchell Starc from their playing XI against Afghanistan in their Super Eights T20 World Cup fixture in Kingstown.
The two leading wicket-takers have been left-arm quicks (Fazalhaq Farooqi and Arshdeep Singh); for eliminated teams New Zealand and Pakistan, Trent Boult and Mohammad Amir were the two respective top wicket-takers as well. However, Australia's strike weapon Starc has blown hot and cold, taking three wickets across 14 overs.
On Sunday, Starc was left out of Australia's XI, leaving many surprised. He did not play the game against Namibia either, but that was down to a niggle, with Australia playing Nathan Ellis and resting the 34-year-old.
"Decision purely on conditions"
The decision against Afghanistan seemed to be a more tactical decision, with captain Mitchell Starc indicating at the toss that it was a decision based "purely on conditions", bringing in Ashton Agar.
Commentator Tom Moody noted that it was a "brand new surface", with the three games at the venue all being low-scoring encounters.
Ashton Agar has conceded two runs from his opening two overs during the Powerplay, including 11 dot balls.
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) June 23, 2024
So far, the decision to leave out Mitchell Starc has paid off for the Australians.#T20WorldCup
"This surface is rock hard. Yes there will be some turn", noting that every team that has elected to bowl first here has lost.
There was turn on offer, with Australia even opting to open the bowling with Agar. The decision seemingly paid dividends, as Agar was tight and thrifty with his spell, finishing with 4-1-17-0.
However, Afghanistan proceeded to put on the highest opening partnership ever against Australia in a T20I, building on a slow but steady start with the aim to break free in the backend. Australia pulled things back after Marcus Stoinis dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz, giving him a fiery send-off.
Can’t believe Australia isn’t playing Starc …
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) June 23, 2024
Did not see that coming. Brave call.
Interestingly, Starc was also left out against Afghanistan during their 2022 T20 World Cup fixture, a move that left several Australian ex-cricketers in surprise. At that time, Michael Clarke, Starc's former captain, had remarked: "There’s absolutely no way you can leave him out of tonight’s game".
Australia couldn't find a breakthrough until the end of the 16th over, the longest they have had to wait for a wicket in a T20I. The stand was also helped by some shaky fielding by the former T20 World Cup champions, although they pulled things back after that, with Pat Cummins taking his second hat-trick in two games to create history.
However, Afghanistan managed to create their own history, beating Australia for the first time ever, dismissing them for 127 to win by 21 runs.
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