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Mitchell Starc equals Brett Lee record in staggering display in second ODI

The Aussie fast bowler captured his ninth five-wicket haul in ODI cricket.

Mitchell Starc, pictured here taking his ninth five-wicket haul in the second ODI against India.
Mitchell Starc took his ninth five-wicket haul in the second ODI against India. Image: Getty/Fox Cricket

Mitchell Starc has equalled Brett Lee's record for most ODI five-wicket hauls by an Australian after destroying India in the second match in Vizag. Starc captured 5-53 off eight overs to help skittle India for just 117 in 26 overs, setting up a crushing Aussie victory by 10 wickets.

The left-arm veteran started the destruction in the opening over by getting Shubman Gill to hit a loose shot to Marnus Labuschagne at point. Steve Smith then gave Starc his second wicket with a juggling effort at slip to dismiss Rohit Sharma for 13.

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And when Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed lbw for a golden duck for the second-straight match, Starc had three early wickets and was on a hat-trick. KL Rahul survived the hat-trick ball but was trapped in front by Starc a short time later, reducing India to 4-48.

Starc was struck for consecutive sixes by Axar Patel when he returned for another spell later in the innings, however he finished the innings by bowling Mohammed Siraj. In doing so he captured his ninth five-wicket haul in ODI cricket, equalling Lee's record amongst Australians.

Only Waqar Younis (13) and Muttiah Muralitharan (10) have more than Starc and Lee among all countries. "I feel like my rhythm has been quite good for a few weeks now," Starc said afterwards.

"And the last couple of nights I've got the ball to shape in the air and do a little bit off the wicket. It's feeling in a good place, and hopefully it will continue."

Starc now has the third-lowest average among all bowlers to take at least 200 ODI wickets. His mark of 21.79 sits only behind Allan Donald's 21.787 and Saqlain Mushtaq's 21.788.

Aussies thrash India by record margin in second ODI

In response, Mitchell Marsh blasted 66 not out off 36 balls and Travis Head made 51 not out off 30 balls as Australia recorded their biggest-ever ODI win over India in terms of overs remaining. The tourists reached the victory target in just 11 overs, making it their third-largest ODI victory in terms of overs to spare.

"It was a quick one - 37 overs for the game, you don't see that too often," Australia's stand-in captain Smith said in the post-match presentation. "I thought our bowlers were outstanding. Mitchell Starc in particular with the new ball, swinging it back down the line.

"He complemented really well with the rest of our bowling group and it was a nice start to the day. It was one of those days when every time they nicked it, it went to hand. Fortunately we were on the right side of it."

Mitchell Starc, pictured here after taking the wicket of Shubman Gill in the second ODI.
Mitchell Starc celebrates after taking the wicket of Shubman Gill in the second ODI. (Photo by NOAH SEELAM/AFP via Getty Images)

Sean Abbott took 3-23 and Nathan Ellis chipped in with 2-13 in handy cameos for the Aussies. India's total marked their third-lowest against Australia in history, behind 63 at the SCG in 1981, and 100 in Sydney in 2000. It was also India's fourth-lowest total in ODIs at home against any opposition.

"We always knew that was not enough runs on the board," India captain Rohit Sharma said. "Obviously it was not a 117 pitch at all. By no means. We just didn't apply ourselves and kept losing wickets. That didn't allow us to get the runs we wanted."

Most five-wicket hauls in ODI cricket:

  • Waqar Younis (13 in 262 matches)

  • Muttiah Muralitharan (10 in 350 matches)

  • Mitchell Starc (9 in 109 matches)

  • Brett Lee (9 in 221 matches)

  • Shahid Afridi (9 in 398 matches)

Australia's biggest-ever ODI wins on overs remaining:

  • 42.1 overs - v USA in Southampton, 2004

  • 40.4 overs - v West Indies in Perth, 2013

  • 39 overs - v India in Vizag, 2023

with agencies

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