ICC Men’s ODI World Cup: Starc takes hat-trick vs Netherlands; India vs England warm-up washed out

Mitchell Starc took a brilliant hat-trick as Australia’s bowlers flexed their muscles against the Netherlands on another rain-interrupted day of warm-up matches for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.

The match in Thiruvananthapuram was reduced to just 23 overs per side because of consistent afternoon rain but Starc was worth the wait as he ripped through the Netherlands’ top order.

Further rain prevented a result, while the day’s other match between India and England was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Magic Mitchell in top form

With 49 wickets in his last two 50-over World Cups, Mitchell Starc knows how to peak at the perfect time for cricket’s biggest event – and it appears he has done so once again.

Chasing 167 to win, the Netherlands hoped for a fast start but Starc had other ideas. Taking the first over, he struck with just his fifth ball by trapping Max O’Dowd LBW for a duck and then bowled Wesley Barresi.

At the beginning of his second over, he completed the hat-trick by again careering into an unsuspecting batter’s stumps – this time Bas de Leede’s.

Colin Ackermann’s unbeaten 31 offered some resistance before more rain fell in the 15th over, with the Netherlands 84 for six, and prevented a result.

Earlier, Australia elected to...

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