• By Manik Sharma
  • Mon, 16 Oct 2023 03:39 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
Add as a preferred

In a recent twist of events during the ODI World Cup 2023, Australia's speedster Mitchell Starc once again found himself in the spotlight for his vigilant eye on non-strikers. This time, the subject of his scrutiny was Sri Lankan batsman Kusal Mendis.

In a crucial encounter, Sri Lanka opted to bat first, setting the stage for another intense showdown at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Monday, October 16. Both teams are winless in the tournament after two losses.

In the first over, Mitchell Starc had an amusing encounter with Kusal Perera, who strayed out of the crease at the non-striker's end. Starc issued a warning but did not dismiss the Sri Lankan opener. In the fifth over, Perera kept his bat grounded despite moving forward, prompting another Starc warning.

ALSO READ: Sunil Gavaskar's Scathing Take On Pakistan After Crushing Defeat Against India, Says 'They Didn't Learn Anything'

However, this was not the first instance of Mitchell Starc warning a player for straying too far from the crease. In the T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 match in Perth, Starc issued a clear warning to Sri Lanka's Dhananjaya de Silva, who was repeatedly leaving the crease early during his partnership with opener Pathum Nissanka. Starc provided not one, but two warnings to Dhananjaya.

ALSO READ: ODI World Cup 2023: It's Not Just Cricket That Afghanistan Are Playing For, Says Coach Jonathan Trott After England Win

This incident bore a striking resemblance to another encounter earlier in a T20I match against England. In this game, Starc engaged in a war of words with England's captain, Jos Buttler, as he alleged that the English star was leaving the crease early. Buttler vehemently denied the accusation, but Starc persisted with his remarks. On the stump microphone, Starc was heard saying, "I am not Deepti, but I might do it. Doesn't mean you can leave your crease early."

The reference to "Deepti" takes us back to a contentious incident involving India's all-rounder Deepti Sharma. She made headlines by running out England cricketer Charlie Dean at the non-striker's end for backing up before the ball was delivered during an ODI at Lord's earlier in the year. This incident sparked a spirited debate on the Spirit of Cricket, with several England cricketers weighing in on the matter.