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'Never seen that': Cricket world stunned by Mitchell Starc moment

Mitchell Starc, pictured here producing one of the wildest deliveries in international cricket history.
Mitchell Starc produced one of the wildest deliveries in international cricket history. Image: Fox Sports

Mitchell Starc left the cricket world completely stunned on Tuesday night after one of the worst deliveries ever bowled in an international match.

Australia wrapped up their T20 series against Sri Lanka with a six-wicket win at Manuka Oval, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead.

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Three wickets from Kane Richardson restricted Sri Lanka to 6-121, a target the Aussies cruised past thanks to a 50-run partnership between Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell.

Australia reached 4-124 in just 16.5 overs, with Marcus Stoinis (12 not out) hitting the winning runs for the second-straight game.

However not everything went the Aussies' way, with Starc producing an extraordinary no-ball that sailed way off the pitch on the full and past wicketkeeper Matthew Wade for four.

Starc appeared to be attempting a slower-ball or off-cutter, but the ball slipped from his grasp and went nowhere near the pitch.

The ball sailed over three metres in the air, way over the batter's head and to his right, leaving Wade little chance to stop it from going for four.

“Wow! No ball, free hit, four, not much else to say,” Mark Howard said in commentary for Fox Cricket.

Brett Lee said: “I was going to say it was Steve Harmison-like, but it wasn’t even that.

“I don’t reckon I’ve ever seen a ball go that wide while I’ve been commentating.”

Speaking after the innings, Glenn Maxwell said: “It wasn’t his finest ball of the night, but it’s starting to get quite dewy, it’s been quite hot so it can get quite sweaty as well.”

Australia win T20 series against Sri Lanka

The win gives Australia a 3-0 series lead ahead of the final two games in Melbourne.

Richardson took 3-21, including two wickets in his first over, to earn man-of-the-match honours.

"I wasn't at my best the other night so it was nice to bounce back. I think bowling first suits my strengths," Richardson said.

"(In) T20 cricket, you don't always look at the result, you just want to know that what you did was executed as best as you can.

"The length I bowled the other night was a little bit too full."

Maxwell survived chances on zero, nine and 22 to thrash 39 off 25 balls, with a monstrous switch-hit six the highlight of the chase.

Daniel Sams and Glenn Maxwell, pictured here celebrating the wicket of Pathum Nissanka in the third T20 between Australia and Sri Lanka.
Daniel Sams and Glenn Maxwell celebrate the wicket of Pathum Nissanka in the third T20 between Australia and Sri Lanka. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Finch, not opening the batting for just the ninth time in his 86-match T20I career, played patiently for his 35 off 36 balls.

Ben McDermott fell in the first ball of the innings, nicking spinner Maheesh Theekshana to slip, while makeshift opener Ashton Agar made 13 before he was out lbw.

After Maxwell holed out to deep mid-wicket, Josh Inglis continued his fine form making 21 not out, helping Australia seal the win with 19 balls remaining.

Captain Finch said the restructured side - missing Steve Smith, Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa - showed the available depth.

"That's just a strategic thing ... if we want to change the way that we structure up our side to potentially play two quicks, two spinners and a few all-rounders, we're probably going to have to look at structuring up the game that way a little bit," he said.

"Not necessarily with (Agar) at the top all the time, but we still feel as though having seven genuine batters is really important."

with AAP

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