Starc award defies trend in bat-dominated tournament

MELBOURNE: At a World Cup dominated by batsmen and huge scores, it was an old-fashioned fast bowler who ultimately played the biggest role in Australia’s success.
Mitchell Starc, whose devastating pace and movement troubled almost every batsmen who faced him, was named player of the tournament after Australia wrapped up their fifth title with a seven-wicket over New Zealand on Sunday.
Glenn McGrath (2007) is the only other specialist bowler to have won the award but Starc was a popular choice after terrorising his opponents for the past six weeks.
“It’s nice to see bat dominate ball every now and again,” Starc told reporters. “Obviously, it’s been a couple of big scores, but it’s just been fantastic the whole tournament.”
Although New Zealand opener Martin Guptill and Chris Gayle scored double centuries during the World Cup, Starc was an obvious choice for the player of the tournament award.
He took 22 wickets, equal best with New Zealand seamer Trent Boult, but at a far better average of 10.18.