Mitchell Starc leaves South Africa to cheer Alyssa Healy’s Australia in T20 World Cup final

Mitchell Starc won’t be available for the Australia’s third and final ODI against South Africa on Saturday, March 7 at the Senwes Park in Potchefstroom. The Aussies have already conceded an unassailable 2-0 lead to their opponent after the six-wicket defeat at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein. Starc would rather be in Australia to attend the Women’s T20 World Cup final.

Australia will be locking horns with Harmanpreet Kaur’s India on March 8 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Alyssa Healy, the prolific run-scorer, is set to take the field and Starc will be there at the venue to cheer her up in the crunch game. Justin Langer, the Australia head coach, said that the team was happy to release the left-arm speedster for the ‘once-in-a-lifetime-chance’.

Mitchell Starc has had a considerable workload in all three formats, says Langer

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Mitch to watch Alyssa in a home World Cup Final and so we were happy to allow him to return home to support his wife and be part of a fantastic occasion,” Langer, the Australia head coach, was quoted as saying in cricket.com.au.

Langer understands that Starc has had a hectic time over the last few months and he needs to rest to refresh himself. Langer, also a former Australian batsman, stated that it would help Starc go into the ODIs and T20Is against New Zealand firing on all cylinders.

“It is something we have been talking about for a while and, given Mitch has had a considerable workload in all three formats this summer, his heading home a couple of days ahead of the rest of the squad means he will have a chance to refresh ahead of our home and away one-day internationals and Twenty20 internationals against New Zealand that will wrap up our season,” he added.

Starc not playing the next match means the visitors need to look at other pace options to fill in his void. But Langer isn’t concerned by it since Australia already have Josh Hazlewood, Jhye Richardson and Kane Richardson on the bench. In the last game, a dead rubber, the Aussies will be looking to restore some pride, evading a series defeat.