'Someone like Sachin Tendulkar ...': When Ricky Ponting knew Mitchell Starc was special
As
Mitchell Starc
tore through the West Indies with a career-best 6 for 9 in his 100th Test, former Australian captain
Ricky Ponting
reflected on the moment he first knew Starc was destined for greatness - a fiery spell to
Sachin Tendulkar
in just his third Test.
Starc's stunning performance in Jamaica - claiming five wickets in 15 balls to help bowl West Indies out for a shocking 27 - was the perfect celebration of a milestone few fast bowlers ever reach. But according to Ponting, the signs were evident long ago.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
"I remember, he was bowling a spell to Sachin Tendulkar... got up under Sachin's armpit and Sachin just sort of knocked one into short leg," Ponting told The ICC Review.
Poll
Do you think Mitchell Starc will reach 500 Test wickets?
Yes, absolutely
Maybe, if he stays healthy
No, I don't think so
"When you could see that sort of pace and bounce, and have someone like Sachin not be able to cope with it - that was the reassurance for all of us that there was something extra special in Mitchell Starc."
After Lord's heartbreak, Team India start training for Manchester, in London!
Ponting, part of the dressing room in Starc's early days, said the left-arm pacer's raw pace, bounce, and ability to swing the new ball made him a standout even as a teenager.
"He's got to be 6'5". Always had pace, high 140s, touching 150.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Vastu Compliant 3BHK @ Kalyani LivingTree, KIADB, Bagalur
Kalyani Developers
Learn More
Undo
Swinging the new ball back into right-handers - it was clear early that he could be a 100-Test, 400-500 wicket bowler for Australia."
Now 35, Starc has delivered on that early promise. With over 400 Test wickets, multiple ICC trophies, and 725 international wickets across formats, his legacy as one of Australia's all-time greats is secure.
Ponting also praised Starc's discipline in managing his career.
Tracing Moeen Ali's steps in Birmingham
"He made a lot of decisions for longevity - like skipping IPLs to stay fresh for Australia. That commitment's never been questioned."
Starc's 100th Test was a masterclass in fast bowling - but as Ponting recalled, the moment that hinted at this greatness came years ago, when a young quick made the Little Master uncomfortable.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
FIDE Women's World Cup: Koneru Humpy pulls off thrilling win, to face Divya Deshmukh in final
Koneru Humpy beat China's Lei Tingjie in the FIDE Women's World Cup semi-final. (Image: X) India's Koneru Humpy secured a spot in the FIDE Women's World Cup final after defeating China's Tingjie Lei in a thrilling semi-final match that stretched to eight games on Thursday. The intense battle saw Humpy emerge victorious with a final score of 5-3, setting up an all-Indian final against Divya Deshmukh . As a result, India are assured of gold and silver medal from the FIDE Women's World Cup - a first. Additionally, both Humpy and Deshmukh have qualified for Candidates Tournament. One of Tingjie Lei or former World Champion Tan Zhongyi will take another spot for the Candidates when they meet in the third-place contest. The semi-final began with two classical games between Humpy and Tingjie, both ending in draws without either player gaining an advantage. The deadlock continued into the tiebreak phase, where the first two rapid games also resulted in draws, leaving the score tied at 2-2. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The breakthrough came in the third rapid game of the tiebreak, with Tingjie capitalising on a mistake by Humpy in the endgame to take the lead. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo This put the Chinese grandmaster ahead 3-2 in the match. Facing elimination, Humpy displayed resilience with the white pieces in the next game. She executed a strong performance to defeat Tingjie and level the match at 3-3, forcing the contest into blitz games. The first blitz game proved decisive for Humpy, who started with the white pieces and established a strong position from the opening. The game evolved into a complex middle-game with both players having approximately 23 seconds remaining on their clocks. Despite time pressure and multiple blunders from both sides, Humpy maintained her composure to win the first blitz game, taking the lead in the match at 4-3. She followed this success by winning the second blitz game with black pieces, securing the match with a final score of 5-3. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
BAN vs PAK 3rd T20I: Pakistan hammer Bangladesh for consolation win; lose series 1-2
A 2-1 series victory for Bangladesh over Pakistan (Image via X/@BCBtigers) Pakistan ended their T20I series on a high with a 74-run victory over Bangladesh in the third and final match in Dhaka on Thursday. Despite the loss, Bangladesh sealed the series 2-1, having already won the first two matches. Opener Sahibzada Farhan led the charge with a blistering 41-ball 63, smashing six fours and five sixes to give Pakistan a strong start. He put up an 82-run opening stand with Saim Ayub (21), setting the tone for a much-improved batting effort. Hasan Nawaz added late fireworks with 33 off 17 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with a useful 27 off 16 deliveries as Pakistan posted 178/7. In reply, Bangladesh crumbled under pressure. Fast bowler Salman Mirza, playing only his third international match, tore through the top order with figures of 3-19. He struck with the second ball of the innings, removing Tanzid Hasan for a duck and triggering a collapse. Only Mohammad Saifuddin put up some resistance, remaining unbeaten on 35. Mohammad Naim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (both scored 10) were the only other batters to reach double digits as Bangladesh were bowled out for 104 in 16.4 overs. Faheem Ashraf supported well with 2-13, and Mohammad Nawaz claimed the final two wickets to seal the win. 'I am very proud of my team,' said Pakistan captain Salman Agha after the match. 'This is what we talked about as a team, no matter what situation we are in, we want to show character,' he added, as quoted by AFP. Bangladesh skipper Litton Das remained positive despite the loss. 'We played some good cricket and it's great to win a series against Pakistan,' said Litton, who also led Bangladesh to a T20 series win in Sri Lanka last week. Poll Do you think Bangladesh's series win against Pakistan will boost their confidence in future matches? Yes, definitely No, they need to play against more stronger teams Bangladesh had already made history by securing their first-ever T20I series win against Pakistan, winning the first two games by seven wickets and eight runs respectively. For the final match, they rested five key players including pace spearhead Mustafizur Rahman. Taskin Ahmed took 3/38 and Nasum Ahmed claimed 2/22 for Bangladesh, but their efforts weren't enough to stop Pakistan from claiming a consolation win. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Oleksandr Usyk vs Joseph Parker: When will heavyweight fight take place?
The WBO has ordered negotiations for a bout between its interim heavyweight champion Joseph Parker and the unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk , the ruling body said on Thursday. Both parties have 30 days to agree terms for a mandatory defence of Usyk's title, and if they fail to do so the WBO will open a purse bid. "The minimum bid in the Heavyweight division is one million dollars... any of the parties herein may request purse bid proceedings at any time during negotiation stages," the WBO said in a statement. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Others others Management Degree Product Management Data Analytics PGDM MCA MBA Project Management Technology healthcare Data Science Operations Management Finance Healthcare Artificial Intelligence CXO Data Science Public Policy Leadership Digital Marketing Design Thinking Cybersecurity Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 months IIM Lucknow SEPO - IIML CHRO India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 16 Weeks Indian School of Business CERT-ISB Transforming HR with Analytics & AI India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 28 Weeks MICA CERT-MICA SBMPR Async India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Exec Cert Prog in AI for Biz India Starts on undefined Get Details Usyk has held the WBO belt since 2021 when he won it from Anthony Joshua along with the WBA and IBF titles, and has defended it four times, also taking the WBC belt from Tyson Fury to become the unified champion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Do you have a mouse? Desert Order Undo The undefeated Ukrainian vacated the IBF belt last year after opting not to face the sanctioning body's interim champion Daniel Dubois in favour of a rematch with Fury, which he won by unanimous decision in December. Usyk, 38, knocked out Dubois on Saturday to regain the IBF belt and undisputed status. Live Events New Zealand's Parker won the interim WBO championship last year in a majority decision over Zhilei Zhang. He defended it in February, knocking out Martin Bakole. FAQs Q1. Who is unified heavyweight champion? A1. Unified heavyweight champion is Oleksandr Usyk. Q2. Who is interim heavyweight champion? A2. Interim heavyweight champion is Joseph Parker.
