Mitchell Starc: World Cricket's Bowler of the Month, March 2015

Having earned the honour of being named 2015 Cricket World Cup Player of the Tournament, in an era where bats are getting bigger, boundaries are getting smaller and batsmen are getting cheekier, it would be foolish to ignore Starc’s bowling efforts in March.

Finishing the tournament with 22 wickets in eight matches was impressive on its own, but where Starc really impressed was in the nitty-gritty details. His average was an eye-watering 10.18 and his economy rate 3.50.

One of the great things about Starc is his variation and his consistency in different conditions. He hit the 150 kmh range frequently during the World Cup and his average pace in each match was faster than Mitchell Johnson and Pat Cummins.

Having pace is one thing, but the fact that Starc knows how to use that pace is what sets him apart. Whether it’s a yorker or a short ball, Starc never lets a batsman settle. That takes immense skill. Equally impressive is the fact that batsmen often find his deliveries unplayable.

The pressure that results from these kinds of deliveries goes a long way to disrupting the batting lineup.  Starc also has the ability to swing the ball. Although that is still inconsistent, he is a young bowler with a lot to learn. But Starc is a quick learner.

When Shane Warne referred to his body language as “soft” during commentary in last year’s Test series against India, Starc took that to heart after he was dropped. He returned for the final Test against India earlier in the summer and took five for 142.

We expect fast bowlers to be full of bluster; staring, glaring and often snarling at their opponents. Starc’s approach has always been a bit more modest. While he still doesn’t quite have the vein-popping “crazy eye” look that somebody like Dale Steyn has, Starc certainly has shown a bit more assertiveness in his approach.

In the one-day format, there are many things which count against bowlers. The two new balls up front, the powerplays and, of course, the way batting is being revolutionised by players like AB de Villiers. This only serves to underscores Starc’s brilliance. The fact that he can consistently take wickets on flat tracks makes him a truly special bowler.

At only 25 years old, his best years are still to come—if he can remain injury free, of course. Cricket Australia has just confirmed he has been ruled out of the start of the Indian Premier League with a small knee niggle, but he should be good to go in about three weeks.

Starc’s illustrious performances also saw him rocket to the top of the ICC bowling rankings, ahead of Imran Tahir, Saeed Ajmal and Dale Steyn. Having started the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in seventh position, his rise in the rankings is meteoric, gaining 147 points in the eight matches he played.

As long as bowlers like Starc continue to make inroads in the batsman-dominated game, there is hope yet for future generations.