Challenges in the Life of Mitchell Starc in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Mitchell Starc's life and career.

Mitchell Starc is an Australian international cricketer, known for his left-arm fast bowling. He represents the Australian national team and New South Wales in domestic cricket. As a lower-order left-handed batsman, Starc is a valuable all-around player. He stands out as Australia's fourth-highest wicket-taker in both Test and One Day International (ODI) cricket, highlighting his significant contributions to Australian cricket.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2010: Starc began playing international cricket

In 2010, Mitchell Starc started his international cricket career. However, the early part of his career was affected by continuous injuries.

2011: Occurence since 2011

In 2011, Mitchell Starc hadn't played in two consecutive matches in a series since then. This was mentioned in the context of his selection for the fifth and final match of the 2013 Ashes series.

2011: Starc selected for Australia A and injured

In 2011, Mitchell Starc was selected to play for Australia A in a warm-up match against England ahead of the 2010-11 Ashes series. However, he suffered a side-strain injury during a Sheffield Shield match, which ruled him out for four weeks, causing him to miss the Australia A match and the Ashes consideration. Later in 2011, he was selected again for Australia A for a tri-series in Zimbabwe.

April 2012: Starc Returns to National Squad, Visa Issues in UK

In April 2012, Mitchell Starc returned to the national squad for the Test series in the West Indies. After the series, he was signed by Yorkshire County Cricket Club for a five-week contract in the 2012 County Championship, set to begin on 9 May. However, upon arrival in the UK, Starc was detained and deported due to visa issues and had to return to Australia before flying back to England, missing his first match.

2013: Starc faces ankle spur

In 2013, Mitchell Starc experienced calf soreness during the ODI series against Sri Lanka. A bone spur was discovered in his ankle, which he chose to forgo surgery on and opted out of the 2013 IPL player auction. He scored 99 runs in the 3rd Test of Australia's tour of India, and later had surgery and recovered in time for the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy and Ashes series.

2013: Starc plays in the Ashes series

In 2013, Mitchell Starc participated in the Ashes series. He played in the first match but was dropped for the second. He returned for the third match, contributing with key wickets due to reverse swing. Despite his efforts, inconsistency and inaccuracy remained issues, and he was later diagnosed with a stress fracture, sidelining him for the home summer.

2014: Phillip Hughes incident

In 2014, Mitchell Starc was present at the match where Phillip Hughes was struck by a ball and later died, an event that resurfaced in his mind when he concussed Eoin Morgan in 2015.

December 2015: Starc has foot surgery

In December 2015, Mitchell Starc had foot surgery to address a stress fracture he sustained during a match against New Zealand. This surgery impacted his availability for upcoming tournaments.

2015: Starc finishes 2015 calendar year

In 2015, Mitchell Starc finished the year playing in Australia's Test series against New Zealand. During the first match, he was fined for throwing the ball at Mark Craig. In the second Test, he bowled the fastest ball recorded in Test cricket, measured at 160.4 km/h. He also had to leave the field on the first day of the inaugural day-night Test match due to a stress fracture in his foot. Starc finished 2015 as the best-performing bowler of the year in international cricket.

2015: Starc plays in ODI series against England

In 2015, Mitchell Starc played in an ODI series against England. His ankle injury from earlier in the tour became aggravated again, revealing bone spurs. Starc bowled a ball which struck England captain Eoin Morgan on the side of his helmet and forced him to retire hurt due to concussion.

2015: ODI series against New Zealand, World Cup

In 2015, Starc played in an ODI series against New Zealand, marking his return to the country since the 2015 World Cup. However, he struggled to replicate his previous form, despite recovering from a foot injury.

2016: Starc's surgery and unavailability for events

In 2016, Mitchell Starc was initially intended to delay surgery for his ankle spurs until after Australia's tour of New Zealand and the 2016 World Twenty20, but after meeting with specialists it was determined that it was best for him to have the surgery, making him unavailable for both of these events.

2016: Missed IPL in 2016

Starc missed the IPL in 2016 because of a foot fracture injury

2018: South Africa tour and ball-tampering scandal

In 2018, during Australia's tour of South Africa, Starc took 9 wickets in the first Test and won Man of the Match. He had disagreements with his captain, Steve Smith, regarding bowling strategies. The series was overshadowed by the Australian ball-tampering scandal, though Starc was not found to be involved. Smith received a 12-month ban, straining his relationship with Starc.

2018: Border–Gavaskar Trophy series against India

In the 2018-19 Border–Gavaskar Trophy series against India, Starc struggled for form and faced heavy criticism, including from Shane Warne. He focused on bowling at high pace instead of swing, resulting in a return to form in the following Test series against Sri Lanka.

March 2019: Injury during India tour

In March 2019, scans revealed that Starc had torn his left pectoral muscle, making him unavailable for Australia's tour of India.

May 2024: Named in Australia's squad for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup tournament

In May 2024, Starc was named in Australia's squad for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup tournament. In the Super-8 match against India, he conceded 29 runs in an over to Rohit Sharma which became his career-most expensive over.