Australia have decided to drop Mitchell Starc for their crucial clash against Afghanistan in St. Vincent on Sunday, June 23. A win today would seal Australia and India’s places in the semi-finals and they have decided not to pick Starc in the lineup. The left-arm pacer led Australia’s attack in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Starc had broken the record for the bowler with the most wickets in the ODI and T20I World Cups combined in the match against Bangladesh, but has now been left out of the lineup for the match against Afghanistan. Ashton Agar, who played in the final group match against Scotland, replaced the left-arm pacer. There are no other changes to the Australian lineup.
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Australia vs Afghanistan: playing the XI
Afghanistan (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Nangeyalia Kharote, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Australia (Game XI): David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (w), Pat Cummins, Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Afghanistan made two changes, with Nangeyalia Kharote and Karim Janat replacing Najibullah Zadran and Hazratullah Zazai. Australia had won the toss and elected to bowl first.
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Why was Starc abandoned?
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh has explained why they decided to drop Starc for the crucial Afghanistan clash. Marsh said the decision to bring Agar for Starc was based solely on the conditions at St. Vincent.
“We’ll bowl first, try to read the conditions and have a good night. We know Afghanistan are a good team. We just have to trust our process and enjoy it. Ashton Agar replaces Mitchell Starc, purely based on conditions,” Marsh said.
Starc has played 4 matches so far in the T20 World Cup 2024 and picked up 3 wickets. The left-arm pacer suffered an issue early in the tournament and was rested for Australia’s win against Namibia.
