Mitchell Starc: IPL Fatigue Not to Blame for Australia’s T20WC Exit
Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc believes that the Kangaroos’ poor showing in the 2024 T20 World Cup was not due to Indian Premier League (IPL) fatigue. Instead, he attributes their performance to the windy nature of the Caribbean Islands.
Windy Conditions in the Caribbean
Starc emphasized that the windy conditions in the West Indies played a significant role in their downfall. “I think wind always plays a big role in the West Indies,” Starc noted. He explained how the wind affects hitting to short or long sides and catching, impacting not just Australia’s performance but the entire tournament.
Impact of IPL Participation
A significant number of Australia’s players had recently participated in the IPL. Eleven of the 15 players in the T20WC squad played in IPL 2024. Despite this, Starc dismissed the idea that IPL fatigue contributed to their poor showing, stating, “You can’t put it down to IPL fatigue. Those of us who go to IPL know that we’ve got cricket before and after and during.”
Crucial Defeat Against Afghanistan
The loss to Afghanistan in St Vincent was pivotal in Australia’s early exit. The controversial decision to drop Starc from the starting XI backfired, as Afghanistan’s openers put on a match-winning partnership. Starc acknowledged the decision but believed Afghanistan deserved the win. “They played spin pretty well and assessed the conditions better than we did,” he admitted.
Hectic Super 8s Schedule
Starc criticized the hectic schedule of the Super 8s, where Australia played three games on three different islands within 36 hours. The intense schedule affected their preparation and performance. “It wasn’t the best preparation. The scheduling could have been better for everyone,” Starc remarked.
Rohit Sharma’s Onslaught
Reflecting on the loss to India, Starc highlighted Rohit Sharma’s aggressive batting. Rohit targeted Starc, scoring 33 runs off 12 balls, including 29 runs in a single over. “He had a good tournament, especially the back end. He targeted the wind in St Lucia well,” Starc said.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Starc dismissed the notion of IPL fatigue affecting Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign. Instead, he pointed to external factors like the wind conditions and the intense schedule. Despite the early exit, Starc acknowledged the performances of other teams and the challenging conditions in the Caribbean.(cricket betting tips)