Nostalgia Cam: Mitchell Starc flies high at fine leg

Fast bowlers are the warhorses of a team. As if the bowling is not enough to break their back, the humble ambassadors of ‘strength meets skills’ are also expected to man the unforgiving areas like fine leg and third man.

It’s difficult to be standing in a corner that feels unconnected to the game at times. Thanks to the frequent usage of laps and uppercuts in T20s, these two regions are now starting to get their due attention, but often it’s about a long stretch of boring period punctuated by sprints to cover a nick or the glance from crossing over the fence.

Pacers are also considered a fit for this job because i, they need a breather between the overs, ii, their backs demand a break from all the bending, and iii, the the fast bowlers are often considered a little less agile or flexible in comparison to those who keep vigil in and around the 30-yard-circle. However, in the recent past, due to the ever-increasing demands of the game, the new crop of pacers have been pulling off tricks to prove that they are as athletic as any other player in the team.

On April 28 2014, Mitchell Starc put out a show for the audience that manifested the belief that the pacers are now gradually beginning to end the generally accepted image of them being not as flexible and agile.

KXIP's Wriddhiman Saha was on strike. Varun Aaron bowled a length ball, seaming towards the leg stumps, Saha chipped it in the air, and the ball travelled fast. You’d have assumed that was going for a maximum but Mitchell Starc had other ideas! Making his run from fine-leg, he grabbed the ball just a few inches from the boundary line, keeping his composure and completing an incredible catch, making it like a walk in the park. And doing his best to prove that updated version of the pacers came with a new feature – they could fly too!