Mitchell Starc speaks ahead of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

May 27 (CRICKETNMORE) - Mitchell Starc knows just how to ride the emotional roller-coaster of expectation - but he certainly won’t be giving England any tips. Starc’s 22 wickets saw him named player of the tournament when Australia lifted the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup at the MCG four years ago.

His blistering speed saw him finish with an incredible average of 10.18, an economy rate of 3.50 and a record of taking at least two wickets in each of Australia’s eight matches.

The left-armer famously claimed six wickets in a one-man demolition of New Zealand in the group stages and then took two more in the final.

“There’s so much good about playing at home but it does come with a lot of added pressure and expectation is so much higher,” said Starc, who sat out of Australia’s warm-up win over the hosts at the Hampshire Bowl on Saturday. 

“England have played some fantastic cricket since the last World Cup and they are rightly the favourites.

“I know how the pressure can build when you are playing at home and thankfully we had some experienced guys around us four years ago. to keep us focussed, they’ll need that to. I also know it can turn really quickly with a loss or two. 

“The feeling we had in 2015 has certainly motivated this group - and to do it again, away from home, would be just as special.”

Starc’s performances four years ago will forever define his career, ending the tournament ranked number one in the world, famously skittling New Zealand skipper and talisman Brendon McCullum for a duck in the final.

However, he’s not content for the story of his career to be written just yet, with a huge few months to come in England

Aaron Finch’s side are not the favourites this time around, ranked fifth in the world behind New Zealand, South Africa, India and the hosts.

However, Australia have a heritage of finding a new level when big tournaments start and, noteworthy for their rivals, they are starting to pick up momentum.

They came back from two games down to beat home side Indian in a best of five ODI series and then inflicted a 5-0 whitewash on Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

“I’ve never lacked motivation when I pull on this shirt, it’s everything to me playing for my country and something I will never take for granted,” added Starc, who admits he’s still never watched the last final, apart from the trophy celebrations.

“We had so much fun at the last World Cup and that’s going to be key to being successful here. You can’t train every day, you’ve got to grab your downtime when you can, otherwise it’s a very long six weeks.

“You play your best when you are smiling and I have that feeling in this group. There are different guys but it reminds me a lot of four years ago.

“There’s lots of smiles and laughter and you need that in winning games. I think a happy group always shows in results. The last four years has flown by and we just want to replicate that feeling again.

 “It’s felt like a really long lead up and after those tours of India and the UAE, it would have been nice to start straight away.  It seems the World Cup in Brisbane was a very long time ago and we’re keen to just get stuck in.”

ICC