Mitchell Starc

Some Lesser Known Facts About Mitchell Starc

• Mitchell Starc grew up in New South Wales, where he lived in a cul-de-sac (a street or passage that is closed at one end) and went to primary school.

• During his primary schooling, Starc would often play cricket with the milk crates as stumps with a few kids in the street. ^[10]The Sydney Morning Herald

• He started playing professional cricket when he was around ten years old. Starc once revealed that when he was two, his mother took a photo of him with a bat and ball. He said,
  

  I think I started playing properly around under 10s. Alyssa was on my junior representative cricket side. Our home ground was Cheltenham Oval [on Sydney’s upper north shore]. My dad coached our team a bit, and so did Alyssa’s dad, Greg, and I just remember she had this bright blonde bob, and was trying to take my wicketkeeping spot!”

• Mitchell Starc was initially coached by his father, Paul Starc, who played a significant role in shaping his cricket career. Paul died of cancer in February 2021. While talking about his father, Mitchell says,
  

  He was a big part of my cricket – my learning periods, and keeping me in the game. He got me to that stage of professional cricket, and once I got there, he let me do my own thing. He certainly watched it all, and he’d make the odd jibe at me when my radar wasn’t right, but he wasn’t one who was going to tell me what to do.” ^[11]Cricket Australia

  

• While studying at Homebush Boys High School in New South Wales, Starc represented the school’s 1st grade cricket team.

  

• Starc started playing school cricket mainly as a wicketkeeper, and while playing for the Berala Sports Cricket Club in Sydney, he would often wicket-keep and bowl in the same innings. According to Starc, during most of his junior years, he was a wicketkeeper, and it was only when he became taller that he was suggested to become a fast bowler. Starc says,
  

  I actually wasn’t a fast bowler for a long time in juniors. I really did want to be a keeper and a slogger with the bat. But then as I got taller, I was told to go and bowl with the quicks. As part of one squad when I was about 15, I spent a whole winter in an indoor cricket centre. I was given a bucket of balls, and was sent to the far net to bowl off one step, again and again and again. That was the whole session. That’s how I developed my bowling action.”

• In 2008/09 summer, Starc had a rookie contract with New South Wales following which he was included in their squad in February 2009; Starc replaced Aaron Bird, who had been suspended for his illegal bowling action.

• On 5 March 2009, Starc played his first “first-class” match for New South Wales against Western Australia, and in 2010, he played for the Australian Institute of Sport.

  

• In November 2017, while playing for New South Wales against Western Australia in a Marsh Shield match, Starc took a hat-trick in both innings of the match. He was the first bowler ever to do this. ^[12]Cricket Australia

• In November 2015, Starc became the first Test cricketer to bowl with a pink ball in a match against New Zealand in Adelaide. ^[13]NDTV

• In April 2012, Mitchell Starc joined Yorkshire County Cricket Club to play in the 2012 County Championship. His first game for the championship was on 30 May 2012, facing Northamptonshire.

• Mitchell Starc has played in three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups, 2015, 2019, and 2023. His World Cup stats are given in the following table:

• During the 2015 World Cup final, Mitchell Starc headed Australia towards another World Cup victory by dismissing Brendon McCullum with the match’s fifth ball.

• Mitchell counts receiving his baggy green cap from Richie Benaud in Brisbane in 2011 and winning the 2015 World Cup as his most significant cricket memories.

• Mitchell Starc made his IPL debut in 2014, playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

• In the 2015 IPL, Mitchell Starc joined late the RCB squad because of a knee injury, and he skipped the entire 2016 season of the tournament due to a foot injury.

• In February 2017, Starc ended his association with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, mentioning family obligations and the need to get ready for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.

  

• In the 2018 IPL auctions, Kolkata Knight Riders acquired him for A$1.8 million, but an injury prevented him from participating in any matches, and while skipping the 2022 season of the tournament, Starc cited “bubble fatigue” as a reason. In 2024, he made his IPL return after Kolkata Knight Riders bought him for Rs. 24.75 crore. ^[14]The Quint

• Mitchell Starc’s wife, Alyssa Healy, is the niece of former Australian Test wicketkeeper Ian Healy. ^[15]The Sydney Morning Herald Mitchell was around ten years old, while Alyssa was around nine years old when they first met. In an interview, Alyssa talked about their growing relationship since they were kids and playing school cricket. Alyssa said,
  

  We used to bump into each other quite a bit before we turned 20. We would catch up, talk on the phone. But we probably got together around 18, after meeting up in Brisbane one winter. I was up there playing hockey for NSW, and Mitch was training with the National Performance Squad. We had a horrific tournament, went out for some drinks, so did some of the cricket boys and we hung out. And then we were home and all of a sudden we were hanging out more. It was no real romantic story.”

  

• Mitchell Starc is addicted to PlayStation, and he often enjoys playing it along with his wife, Alyssa Healy. ^[16]The Sydney Morning Herald

• Mitchell Starc has taken multiple breaks in his career due to various injuries. He mentions that during times of injury, he watches Alyssa’s games. Starc says,
  

  Whenever I’ve been injured I’ve always had Alyssa to lean on, and her games to watch, which gives you something else to focus on. That’s happened throughout my career actually, I’ve seen a lot of her cricket, thanks to my injuries!”

  

• In May 2012, Starc was stopped at Heathrow Airport, where he was questioned for four hours and was later deported due to inaccuracies in his visa application. ^[17]The Sydney Morning Herald

• In March 2013, during the third Test on Australia’s tour of India, Starc was on the edge of becoming the first Australian in 65 years to score a Test century from the 9th position or lower. However, he was dismissed at 99, caught behind by MS Dhoni, missing the milestone by just one run.

• He supports the Greater Western Sydney Giants in the Australian Football League and the St George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League.

• According to Starc, he enjoys playing Test cricket the most among all cricket formats.

• Being a dog lover, Mitchell Starc frequently shares pictures of his pets on social media.

  

• He is often spotted consuming alcoholic beverages on various occasions.