Former Australian cricketer Michael Hussey has thrown his weight behind veteran fast bowler Mitchell Starc to be named the Player of the Series in the ongoing Ashes, citing the left-armer's match-defining performances with both ball and bat. Starc, at 35, has been the spearhead of the Australian attack, especially after captain Pat Cummins was rested for the final two Tests.
Starc's Staggering Ashes Numbers Make the Case
Hussey's endorsement is backed by formidable statistics. In the series so far, Mitchell Starc has claimed 26 wickets at a stunning average of 17.42. Beyond his primary role, he has also contributed a valuable 151 runs with the bat, providing crucial lower-order resistance. While teammates Travis Head (437 runs) and Alex Carey (291 runs) have been prolific, Hussey believes Starc's all-round impact gives him the edge.
"I’ve got Mitch, with 26 wickets at an average of 17 and some important runs with the bat, marginally ahead of Travis Head and Alex Carey to be crowned man of the series after the Sydney Test," Hussey wrote in his column for The Age. He admitted that early in Starc's career, he wondered if anyone could ever match the ferocity of Mitchell Johnson, but Starc has carved his own legendary path.
The Evolution of a Self-Aware Champion
Hussey delved into Starc's journey, highlighting the pacer's remarkable self-awareness and dedication to the Baggy Green. He recalled a pivotal moment from 2012 when a young Starc was controversially rested for the Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka after a six-wicket haul in Hobart. "I was angry... I was saying to him, 'It’s not every day you get to play a Boxing Day Test, don’t rest!'".
Hussey noted that Starc, then shy and new to the setup, didn't want to "ruffle any feathers." This incident, followed by injury struggles, shaped the bowler's approach. Starc's decision to prioritise national duty over lucrative IPL contracts, starting with rejecting offers to prepare for the 2013 Ashes, is a testament to his priorities. "He’s sacrificed millions of dollars since then to make sure he’s at his best when he’s playing for Australia. There’s a lot to admire about that," Hussey wrote, calling this self-awareness the secret to him still bowling at 145 km/h at 35.
Unplayable Deliveries and a Lasting Legacy
The former batsman also shared a humorous yet telling anecdote from a Big Bash game, where his faulty advice to batting partner Jacques Kallis led to Kallis being clean-bowled by a Starc in-swinging yorker. "It was one of those unplayable deliveries that only Starcy can produce," Hussey conceded.
He connected that moment to a list of elite batters who have fallen victim to Starc's brilliance: Brendon McCullum in the 2015 World Cup final first over, Rory Burns with the first ball of the 2021 Ashes, and Zak Crawley edging to slip in the first over of this very series. Starc's ability to deliver on the grandest stage is undisputed.
As the fifth and final Test in Sydney commences, it will be Starc's 27th consecutive Test match, having missed only four of Australia's 56 Tests since the 2019 Ashes. With 123 Ashes wickets at 25.26 in his career, and currently leading the wicket-taking charts, Hussey's pick for the series honour is built on a foundation of consistent, high-impact performances that have defined this Ashes contest.
