Here’s Why Mitchell Starc Used His Wife’s Bat In Ashes 2023: In a fascinating revelation, Australian cricket star Mitchell Starc admitted to using his wife Alyssa Healy’s bat during the Ashes 2023 series. Starc made it clear that Healy, the captain of the Australian women’s team in the ongoing women’s Ashes, remained blissfully unaware of his borrowing act. The 33-year-old player further credited his better half’s bat for his improved batting performance in the prestigious tournament.
Starc’s unusual move possibly makes him the first cricketer to play in a men’s Test match using his wife’s equipment. He preferred Healy’s lighter bat over his, an arrangement that has been in effect for the past seven months. In his words to PerthNow, Starc explained, “It’s a little bit lighter. Anrich Nortje was bowling pretty fast through the summer, so I used a lighter bat. She didn’t know it was gone, so it was fine.”
Elaborating on the amusing incident, Starc described how he procured the bat. During a routine cleanup of cricket bags at home while Healy was away on tour, he noticed three bats in one bag. He joked to his wife, “There’s two now, the other’s in my bag,” to which she expressed surprise.
Starc’s switch to Healy’s bat indeed proved fortuitous. During the ICC World Test Championship final against India, he managed to contribute a valuable 41 runs in the second innings. This noteworthy performance aided Australia in securing a remarkable victory by 209 runs.
Mitchell Starc Used His Wife’s Bat In Ashes 2023
Continuing this positive streak, Starc played a pivotal role in the second Test against England in the Ashes 2023. His 15 not-out off 40 deliveries in the second innings helped Australia stretch their target to 370 against the hosts. The result was a 43-run victory for Australia, giving them a strong 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
At the third Test in Headingley, Starc once again shone with the bat. Scoring 16 runs from 19 deliveries, he helped Australia set a daunting target of 250 for England. Despite his commendable effort, England managed a thrilling three-wicket victory, narrowing Australia’s series lead to 2-1.
A noteworthy point here is that both Starc and Healy are sponsored by Kookaburra. Therefore, this incident is not the first instance of them exchanging bats. Regardless, this exchange carries a different weight, given the significance of the series and the positive impact on Starc’s performance.
In conclusion, this amusing revelation not only lightens the cricketing atmosphere but also highlights the subtle influences in a sportsperson’s performance. As Starc’s performance with Healy’s bat illustrates, sometimes, the secret to success might be found in the most unexpected places or, in this case, borrowed from the most unexpected people.
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