Australian fast-bowler Mitchell Starc has taken out player of the series honours for the Ashes series after a brilliant summer in the baggy green.
The veteran left-armer was instrumental to Australia’s 4-1 victory, especially in the first three Test matches when the series was still on the line.
Starc finished with a tremendous 31 wickets at an average of 19 with ball in hand, while also chipping in with 156 valuable runs including two half-centuries.
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The 35-year-old was awarded the Compton-Miller Medal by Steve Waugh after the SCG win and was asked by Isa Guha if this summer was the best he had ever bowled.
Mitchell Starc accepts the Compton-Miller Medal. Fox Cricket
“Maybe,” Starc said with a smile.
“It feels like it’s going OK, the body is still holding together. It’s a great group to be a part of, especially when you’ve got Travis at the top there and in the changerooms.
“It’s been a great group to be a part of and I’m just glad to be playing a role.”
Starc – along with cult hero Scott Boland – played in all five games as the front-line bowlers with both Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood sidelined due to injury.
“[I am] a little bit tired,” he said.
“Scott and I are on the older side of things, but we still managed to get the job done. It’s been a long series, but obviously very fruitful.”
Mitchell Starc. Getty
As for his batting, which was brilliant early in the series, Starc said there was “no better incentive” for a quick than to keep the opposition out in the field.
“I’m glad I got a few out of the middle at the start of the series,” he said.
“There’s no better incentive for a bowler than to not have to bowl and stay out there with the bat.”Â
Travis Head (629 runs, three centuries) and Alex Carey (323 runs, 28 dismissals) were also in the running for the honour, but were pipped by Starc.