Starc the Iron Man

Mitchell Starc turns thirty-five next month. By most measures he is a young man; in fast bowling years he is almost pensionable. Glenn McGrath, sui generis, retired at thirty-seven, but the like of Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Craig McDermott, Jason Gillespie and Merv Hughes were by a similar age long gone. Yet here is Starc, bowling as fast, running as far, hitting as long as ever, and to no great fuss. Because to one of cricket’s most dynamic skill sets and resplendent physiques he has harnessed one of its most unobtrusive personalities. It’s only really in his teammates’ midst that he lets a little sun shine in – viz today, when before lunch he impacted this Third Test in all three departments.