Australia’s opening T20 World Cup 2024 win against Oman gave a potential scare to the Kangaroos. While they secured a comfortable victory by 39 runs, a potential injury to Mitchell Starc, their star fast bowler, has cast a shadow over their campaign.
The left-arm pacer’s woes began early in his fourth over. After bowling the first ball, he clutched his calf, raising concerns about his fitness. With Oman still needing a significant number of runs to win, Starc left the field after consulting the physiotherapist.
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Mel McLaughlin, a commentator, highlighted the risk of aggravating the injury. Former England captain Nasser Hussain stressed that even a minor strain would be a significant blow for Australia. Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden expressed hope that it was just a cramp, as Starc is a vital cog in the Aussie’s bowling attack.
The good news for Australia came from the batsmen. After a shaky start that saw them lose Glenn Maxwell for a golden duck, a crucial partnership between Marcus Stoinis and David Warner propelled them to a strong total of 164 runs. Despite the injury scare, Mitchell Starc did manage to make an initial impact on Oman’s chase. He trapped their opener Pratik Athavale LBW with the very first ball, although the initial not-out decision was overturned upon review. He nearly had another wicket two deliveries later, but the Oman captain survived an LBW appeal after a successful review.
However, Starc’s absence might have hampered Australia’s bowling attack more than they initially thought. Oman still struggled to build partnerships and were never able to gain upper-hand in the chase. They fell short of the target by 39 runs, finishing their inning at 125-9.
While Australia secured the win, the question of Starc’s fitness remains unanswered. The team will be eagerly awaiting news on the severity of the injury and whether their star bowler will be available for their upcoming matches. Here’s a breakdown of the situation:
- Starc seemed to suffer a calf injury while bowling his fourth over.
- He left the field and did not complete his spell.
- There are concerns that the injury could be serious and significantly impact Australia’s campaign.
- Despite the bowling scare, Australia put up a strong batting performance with a crucial partnership between Stoinis and Warner.
- Even with the injury, Starc managed to take a wicket in his first over.
- Australia’s bowling attack, even without Starc at full fitness, managed to restrict Oman and secure the win.
- The biggest concern for Australia is Starc’s availability for upcoming matches.
With the T20 World Cup 2024 just beginning, Australia will be hoping for a speedy recovery for Mitchell Starc. His presence is crucial for their bowling attack, and his absence could significantly impact their chances of lifting the trophy.
