Mitchell Starc produced a spell for the ages as Australia dismantled the West Indies in a historic pink-ball Test in Jamaica. The experienced left-arm pacer claimed his career-best figures of…
Born on 30 January 1990 in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, Australia, Mitchell Starc grew up in a sports-loving family with a strong competitive spirit. He attended Homebush Boys High School, where he quickly made a name for himself by representing the school’s 1st XI cricket team. At the age of 9, Starc began playing for Northern Districts as a wicket-keeper, but it wasn’t long before his talent as a fast bowler became evident. His tall frame, strong arm, and natural ability to generate pace led coaches to encourage the switch.
Inspired by the Australian pace legends he grew up watching, Starc dedicated himself to fast bowling. He trained rigorously at junior academies and quickly rose through the youth ranks. His commitment and rapid progress earned him a rookie contract with New South Wales in 2008–09, officially launching his domestic cricket career. It was during this period that Starc also began fine-tuning his deadly swing and accuracy—skills that would soon make him one of the world’s most feared left-arm pacers.
Starc is celebrated for his raw pace—clocking over 160 km/h twice in Tests—as well as his deadly reverse‑swing. His aggressive bowling is matched by a calm, focused personality off-field. Former coach Tim Nielsen urged him to “harden up,” a message Starc embraced, helping him manage pain and push through tough spells. His resilience shines through, balancing injury setbacks with rigorous rehab and disciplined training .
Starc is of Slovenian descent and older brother to Olympic high jumper Brandon Starc. He married fellow Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy on 15 April 2016—only the third married couple to represent their country in Test cricket. Their shared sporting background keeps their household grounded in athletic excellence and mutual support.
After excelling with New South Wales from 2009, Starc debuted in first-class cricket at age 19. In 2012, he joined Yorkshire, where he took a five-wicket haul on debut. Despite early ankle issues requiring cortisone, he preserved his rhythm and progressed into national contention . His domestic hat‑tricks in 2017’s Sheffield Shield cemented his reputation as a match‑winner .
Starc made his international debut in October 2010 (ODI vs India), becoming a staple in Australian squads across formats.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Balls | Runs | Wickets | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 99 | 190 | 18,971 | 10,822 | 395 | 27.40 | 3.42 | 48.03 |
| ODI | 127 | 127 | 6,512 | 5,712 | 244 | 23.41 | 5.26 | 26.69 |
| T20I | 65 | 65 | 1,458 | 1,881 | 79 | 23.81 | 7.74 | 18.46 |
He became Australia’s fastest to 150 and 200 ODI wickets.
Took a single-edition record 27 wickets in the 2019 ODI World Cup.
Part of the 2015 & 2023 World Cup-winning squads and the 2021 T20 World Cup & 2023 WTC champion team.
Still bowls at 145+ km/h, entering his 100th Test in July 2025—just the second Australia fast bowler after McGrath to reach that milestone.
Mitchell Starc first entered the IPL scene with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he created headlines by becoming the most expensive buy in IPL history—sold for a staggering ₹24.75 crore (~$3 million) at the December 2023 auction. This record-breaking bid reflected both his international pedigree and the demand for elite left-arm pacers in the T20 format. Though he missed earlier IPL editions due to national duties and injuries, his comeback was highly anticipated by fans and franchises alike.
In IPL 2025, Delhi Capitals acquired Starc at auction, reinforcing their bowling lineup with his experience and lethal pace. Despite dealing with periodic injuries and workload management issues, Starc has delivered crucial spells, including a standout 3/43 against Kolkata, reaffirming his role as a reliable strike bowler in pressure situations.
