'I still want to bowl fast and I'm not going to compromise' - Mitchell Starc eyes entering the 100 mph club

Australian Mitchell Starc is probably the fastest left-arm pacer in the world but still hasn’t been able to get entry into the coveted 100 mph club. The exclusive club has 3 members at the moment. Speedster Akhtar has touched 100.2 mph (161.3 kph) against England at 2003 World Cup while Australian greats, Brett Lee and Shaun Tait are on the same pedestal with 100.1 mph (161.1 kmph).

The left armer is now aiming to become the third one from his country to have graced the club. He is aiming; all the while that he has been burning himself in the COVID-19 lockdown will fetch him the desired success soon. Currently, he is only left-arm pacer nearing the 100mph mark. His 99.7 mph (160.5 kph) delivery against New Zealand in 2015 is his personal best so far, and 4^th highest by a bowler in International cricket.

Trying to achieve the mark, the 30-year-old also doesn’t want to be harsh on self. Starc told cricket.com.au, “It would be nice but at the same time the two occasions I’ve been up around that [160 kph] mark I’ve snapped my foot. Perhaps that extra time in the gym and extra time off I might be able to push the limits again.”

Mitchell Starc shows confidence with his modified action

While achieving pace, the Australian doesn’t want to be weak on his consistency and believes that his altered action will help him maintain the balance.

“At the start of the (2019-20) summer and after that UK tour, I very much got in that line and length (and) consistency mindset that the whole group were through the Ashes. I still want to bowl fast and I’m not going to compromise on that,” he said.

After successful completion of 13^th IPL season, India are looking forward to the tour of Australia where both teams will lock horns in 4 Tests, 3 ODIs and 3 T20s. It will a great platform as well as challenge for the Australian pacer to display his class and breach the 100 mph mark against Virat Kohli and Co. Australia currently top the chart in ICC Test rankings, followed by New Zealand and India. England is the table-topper in ICC ODI rankings, followed by India and New Zealand.