Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc displayed scintillating form ahead of the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup by notching a remarkable hat-trick in the warm-up match against the Netherlands. Starc wreaked havoc on the Dutch top-order with a fiery opening spell under challenging conditions caused by persistent rain.
The Australia vs. Netherlands warm-up encounter, scheduled for September 30 in Trivandrum, was marred by continuous rainfall. Ultimately, the game was shortened to 23 overs per side, with the Australian team choosing to bat first and posting a total of 166-7.
Netherlands managed to bat for only 14.2 overs before the game was abandoned due to yet another rain interruption. Starc commenced the proceedings by bowling the first over with the new ball, immediately extracting movement off the pitch. On the fifth delivery of the over, he produced a sharp incoming delivery that struck Max O’Dowd’s pads, resulting in an LBW decision.
In the very next delivery, Starc executed an almost unplayable inswinger, which Wesley Barresi failed to negotiate as it uprooted the off-stump. Starc returned for his third over, eager to complete a hat-trick. Netherlands all-rounder Bas de Leede had no answer to Starc’s first delivery, a lightning-fast yorker that shattered the middle stump.
Starc concluded his spell with impressive figures of 3-18 in three overs. His hat-trick against the Netherlands serves as a warning to all opposing teams that will have to contend with him while he wields the new ball in the 2023 World Cup.
Hattrick for Mitchell Starc 📽
— Kohlified (@18PerthClassic) October 1, 2023
With english commentary…. pic.twitter.com/pSxv8LVTaG
At the time of the rain interruption, the Dutch side had reached a score of 84-6 in 14.2 overs, forcing the umpires to abandon the game.
