Mitchell Starc Overcomes Self-Doubt to Deliver Match-Turning Spell in Cape Town

Mitchell Starc admitted that “a lot of things haven’t felt right” for him during the series against South Africa, but after reviewing footage of performances when he believed he was at his best, he concluded he had been searching for problems that did not exist.

Starc transformed figures of 0 for 62 after 12 overs into 6 for 72 on the opening day in Cape Town. He struck twice with the older ball as Australia employed the bouncer tactic, then blew away South Africa’s lower order with new-ball swing, taking four wickets in six deliveries.

Having taken six wickets across the first two Tests, Starc came under scrutiny when Australia struggled during the morning session. Mark Waugh, commenting on Kayo Sports, suggested he might have considered leaving Starc out at Newlands to retain Scott Boland.

Before the final Test, Starc reviewed footage from earlier in the series, overlaid with Ashes spells from the previous season, alongside coaching staff and his wife, Alyssa Healy. The review showed no technical changes.

“There have been a lot of things that haven’t felt right throughout the series,” Starc said. “I reviewed some footage last night with assistant coach James Franklin and head coach Andrew McDonald, as well as my wife, who has watched a great deal of cricket.”

“I looked at footage from the Test in Durban overlaid with material from the Ashes, checking for anything in my action. There really wasn’t much. It was more about feel. I was probably overanalyzing it. There wasn’t a significant difference in my action.”

Mitchell Starc’s late surge kept the contest even — Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images

“I was probably searching for a feeling I didn’t need. If I just switched my brain off, I might be right.”

Collectively, Starc acknowledged Australia had been poor in the first session. They expected more movement after Pat Cummins inserted South Africa, only for the hosts to reach 140 without loss in 27 overs.

“A lot of us have been around long enough to solve problems as we go,” he said. “I just happened to get a few things right with the second new ball. It would have been nice to do that with the new ball in the first hour, but that is characteristic of this group. We can solve problems before the end of the day’s play. Bowling them out despite not having our best start in the first two hours should count for something.”

Marques Ackerman, South Africa’s top scorer with a free-flowing 95 off 94 balls, appeared to question the decision to continue playing in the evening session after clouds rolled in and the floodlights were switched on.

“The second new ball swung more than the first, probably because the sun was out, but once the clouds came over, it became dark and tricky with the second new ball,” he said. “I think it’s a pity we didn’t leave the field for bad light.”

Before play began, there was drama at Newlands when Steven Smith was ruled out due to his ongoing neck injury, sustained at St George’s Park. Starc suspected something might be wrong the night before but only learned of the late change moments before the toss.

“I had a feeling something was happening yesterday when I tried to get my laundry at the hotel and couldn’t reach the team room,” he said. “But I didn’t know he wasn’t playing until I went out to warm up this morning. He seems upbeat enough.”

Smith’s absence prompted a recall for Josh Inglis, who is set to bat at No. 5. Cameron Green also returned to the side and will take Smith’s place at No. 4. Another inclusion, Cooper Connolly, claimed his maiden Test wicket by trapping Matthew Breetzke lbw. Australia made four changes in total—their most during a series since Johannesburg in 2018, following the ball-tampering scandal.

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