Table of Contents
Mitchell Starc Reveals Using Wife Alyssa Healy’s Bat in Ashes 2023
Australian cricketer Mitchell Starc has made a surprising revelation about his use of his wife Alyssa Healy’s bat in the Ashes 2023 series. Starc credits Healy’s bat for his recent batting performances in the longest format. This unique situation makes Starc possibly the first player in history to use his wife’s cricket bat in a men’s Test match.
Starc’s Preference for Healy’s Bat
Starc switched to using Healy’s bat seven months ago and prefers its lighter pick up, especially when facing fast bowlers like South Africa’s Anrich Nortje. Healy was unaware of the switch and Starc kept the bat in his own bag without her knowledge.
Positive Results and Contributions
Starc’s decision to use his wife’s bat has proven successful. He scored 41 runs in the second innings of the ICC World Test Championship final against India, helping Australia secure a convincing victory. In the Ashes 2023 series, he played a crucial role in the second Test at Lord’s, contributing 15 not out off 40 deliveries. He also made a handy contribution of 16 runs in the third Test at Headingley. Despite England’s victory in that match, Starc’s performances have been commendable.
Exchange of Bats and Previous Instances
Both Starc and Healy are sponsored by Kookaburra, making it not the first time they have exchanged bats. Healy has previously used Starc’s bat in the 2016-17 Women’s Big Bash League, where she scored runs using his bat. However, Starc mentioned that she had cut the end of the handle off, rendering the bat unusable for him.
Starc’s Bowling Performance
In addition to his batting performances, Starc’s bowling has also been impressive in the Ashes 2023 series. He has already taken 13 wickets in two Tests.
