The world of cricket is never short of drama and surprises. In the latest twist, Australia’s star fast bowler, Mitchell Starc, has opened up about his exclusion from the Super 8 fixture against Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup 2024. Starc’s benching to make way for Ashton Agar was a controversial decision that sparked widespread debate among fans and experts alike.

Exclusion from the match against Afghanistan

The decision to bench Starc in the crucial Super 8 match against Afghanistan was surprising. The team management opted to bring in left-arm spinner Ashton Agar, hoping his spin would be more effective given the conditions.

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Ashton Agar’s performance in the match was commendable. He bowled economically, giving away just 17 runs in his four overs and successfully containing the Afghan batters during the middle overs. Despite his efforts, Australia failed to capitalize and ended up losing the match by 21 runs.

Australia’s exit

Australia’s early departure from the T20 World Cup were disappointing for fans and the team alike. Several factors contributed to this outcome, including strategic decisions, player performances, and perhaps a bit of bad luck. Analyzing the statistical performance of the team provides insight into what went wrong.

Mitchell Starc’s perspective

In a candid discussion on the WillowTalk podcast, Starc shared his thoughts on being left out of the playing XI. He explained that the decision was based on the pitch conditions and the effectiveness of spin bowling in previous matches at the venue.

“They saw previous games on that ground with spin playing a part and obviously Ash and the left-armer enticing them to make a change,” Starc said on the WillowTalk podcast.

Criticism of Pre-tournament seedings

Starc also voiced his criticism regarding the pre-tournament seedings. He argued that Australia’s position did not reflect their capabilities and affected their group stage matchups. Analyzing the seeding process and its impact on the tournament’s outcomes sheds light on potential areas for improvement.

Another point of contention was the scheduling of the matches. Australia’s schedule, which included late-night arrivals and early games, was far from ideal. These logistical issues likely impacted the players’ performance and preparation.

“We finished ahead of England and end up where we were pre-seeded as the second side. All of a sudden, you’re in a different group. We had the two night games and the third was a day game, so it wasn’t the best preparation. We had a delayed flight out of St Vincent, a 90-minute drive from the airport to the hotel in St Lucia, our players got in late by night and then a 10 o’clock toss,” he added.

Starc’s tournament performance

Despite the controversies, Starc’s performance in the tournament was a mix of highs and lows. He took five wickets in as many games, but his economy rate and average were not up to his usual standards.

History was made at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, as India triumphed over South Africa by 7 runs to claim the T20 World Cup 2024 title on Saturday, June 29.

For India, this victory marked the end of a 13-year drought, while for South Africa, the wait for a major ICC trophy continues. The final was a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the best of T20 cricket with its nail-biting moments and dramatic shifts in momentum.

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Memorable Matches of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

The T20 World Cup 2024 was filled with unforgettable matches that showcased the excitement and unpredictability of T20 cricket. Here are five of the most memorable encounters:

1. The Grand Finale: South Africa vs India

Chasing 177 to win, South Africa faced a fierce Indian bowling attack. Early breakthroughs by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh put India in control. Tristan Stubbs and Quinton de Kock staged a fightback, adding 58 runs off 39 balls, but their dismissals left South Africa in a precarious position.

With five overs to go, South Africa were rampant. Heinrich Klaasen, one of the great hitters in the game, and David Miller had clubbed 38 runs off the two previous overs, and with six wickets in hand South Africa needed only a run-a-ball off the last 30 balls.

Rohit Sharma was forced to go to the best bowler in the world, when he would have otherwise saved Bumrah for later overs. But the most telling blow, came at the start of the 17th over. Hardik bowled a wide line outside off and took the edge of Klaasen, Pant snaffling the chance gleefully.

Hardik Pandya’s decisive final over sealed the victory, with Suryakumar Yadav’s acrobatic catch on the boundary line providing the final dramatic twist. The climax came in the final over when Suryakumar Yadav’s stunning catch ensured India’s victory, ending their 13-year wait for a T20 World Cup title.

2. Afghanistan vs Australia (Super Eight Clash)

In a shocking upset, Afghanistan defeated Australia by 21 runs. Despite Pat Cummins’ hat-trick, Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Gulbadin Naib led their team to a modest total of 148.

Maxwell’s aggressive approach saw him unleash a series of audacious shots, including a shovelled four off Azmatullah Omarzai that left him beaming. After notching up a rapid 35-ball half-century. In a crucial moment, Naib, with the assistance of Noor Ahmad, dismissed Maxwell for 59 off 41 balls.

Noor Ahmad’s spectacular low catch at backward point off Naib’s delivery halted Maxwell’s momentum and left Australia struggling at 106 for 6 in the 15th over, still needing 43 runs off 32 balls.

Naib’s exceptional spell yielded career-best figures of 4 for 20, including the prized scalps of Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, and Pat Cummins, ensuring Afghanistan’s first-ever victory over Australia in any format.

Australia’s chase faltered as Naib’s four-wicket haul dismantled their batting lineup, securing Afghanistan’s first-ever victory over Australia in any format.

3. Australia vs India (Super Eight Clash)

India secured their spot in the semi-finals with a 24-run win over Australia. Rohit Sharma’s explosive 92 off 41 balls powered India to 205/5.

The Australian chase got off to a rocky start with Arshdeep Singh forcing an edge off David Warner in the very first over.

Head and captain Mitchell Marsh stitched an 81-run stand and threatened to take the game away from India as the two kept going from both ends. However, Kuldeep broke the stand in the 9th over, taking the big wicket of Mitchell Marsh after Axar Patel came up with a ‘catch of the tournament’ contender.

Glenn Maxwell threatened to go big, hitting 2 sixes and 3 boundaries for his 12-ball 20, but he was undone by Kuldeep, who got his wrong’un to bamboozle the Australian all-rounder. Axar Patel joined the party, dismissing the dangerous Marcus Stoinis for 2.

With the 24-run win, India confirmed their place in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024. India finished Group 1 table on the top and continued their unbeaten run in the tournament. It was also India’s third successive victory against Australia in men’s T20 World Cups, a streak that began in 2014.

4. Afghanistan vs Bangladesh (Super Eight Clash)

Afghanistan defended a low total of 115 runs. Naveen-ul-Haq and Rashid Khan were instrumental in taking early wickets and maintaining pressure.

One of the most epic matches you will ever witness in a World Cup and this game had everything except a Super Over. We had three, no, four rain stoppages, the DLS method also came in but eventually, it was Afghanistan who prevailed in this game and will face South Africa in a bid to play in the Grand Finale.

Defending a meager total of 114 runs, Afghanistan needed early wickets and it was yet again Naveen-ul-Haq who stepped up and took the bull by its horns and picked up back-to-back wickets in the third over.

After the Powerplay, Rashid Khan weaved his magic and bowled four stellar overs, picking up four wickets and that put his side on top of proceedings.

Noor Ahmad and the others bowled economically but it was just slipping out of their grasp with 2 overs to go.

And yet again, Naveen bowled the crucial penultimate over and picked up back-to-back wickets yet again to seal the most memorable win for his side.

Earlier, Inserted into bat by Bangladesh, Afghanistan struggled to get its innings going before a few meaty blows from skipper Rashid Khan helped it post 115/5 in 20 overs

5. India vs England (2nd Semi-final)

India advanced to the final with a commanding 68-run win over England. Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav’s crucial partnership helped India post 171/7. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav then dismantled England’s batting lineup, ensuring India’s place in the final after a decade.

Axar was the game-changer. He came on immediately after Jos Buttler had whacked Arshdeep Singh for three fours in an over and with his very first ball took out the biggest threat.

Each of Axar’s first three overs had a wicket off the first ball. Jonny Bairstow once again choosing to stay leg side and getting bowled, and Moeen Ali’s wicket.

England’s last recognised batter, Livingstone, was run-out after a mix-up with the lower order. Jasprit Bumrah gets the wicket of Jofra Archer. A yorker hits Archer’s back foot and umpire has raised his finger. Even a review could not save Archer as the ball has been found to be clipping the leg stump. India have defeated England by 68 runs and march into the final of T20 World Cup after 10 years.