AUS vs SA: Mitchell Starc warns Theunis de Bruyn of 'possible' mankading at Boxing Day Test

During the Boxing Day Test between Australia and South Africa, veteran fast bowler Mitchell Starc lost his calm when he noticed Proteas batter Theunis de Bruyn backed too far away from the non-striker’s end. However, the 32-year-old didn’t attempt to run him out but issued a fair warning to his counter-part.

The incident took place during the last ball of the ninth over. He was steaming in at full pace but didn’t follow through with his action after seeing de Bruyn walking well ahead of the crease. The speedster asked the batter to stay in the crease and reminded him that it’s not really a hard thing to do.

“Just stay in your crease, it’s not that hard. The line's there for a reason, mate,” Starc said in their brief interaction.

“That’s a frustrated fast bowler right there. He’s got a lot to deal with at the moment. You’d have to expect he’s in a fair deal of discomfort due to that finger,” Adam Gilchrist remarked from the commentary box.

Australia thrashed South Africa to win the Boxing Day Test

Courtesy of a clinical bowling performance from the Australian team, the Proteas batters were left bamboozled as the Dean Elgar-led side lost the Boxing Day Test by an innings and 182 runs. After a disastrous performance with both bat and ball in the first innings, the South African team needed an extraordinary performance in the second innings but failed to produce a match-saving effort. 

White-ball skipper Temba Bavuma played a gritty innings of 65 off 144 deliveries but no other cricketer could support him in the middle as Pat Cummins-led side wreaked havoc in Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The hosts are now leading 2-0 in the series as South Africa stand on the verge of a white-wash. The win also helped Australia strengthen their position at the top of the World Test Championship table as they are now very close to qualifying for the finals.