Mitchell Starc: Australia still searching for perfect performance

Starc, who claimed figures of 5 for 26, taking his tournament tally to 24 and making him the first bowler to have taken three or more World Cup five-fors, says Australia have room for improvement

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In the wake of Australia’s comprehensive victory over New Zealand at Lord’s, Mitchell Starc says his team are still looking for a complete performance.

Starc, who claimed figures of 5 for 26, taking his tournament tally to 24 and making him the first bowler to have taken three or more World Cup five-fors, stated that, despite their good form, Australia have room for improvement.

We've always spoken about peaking towards the back end of the tournament, and we're still searching for that perfect performance. We're not quite there yet,” said the bowler.

“We're showing glimpses of what we are capable of with the ball and with the bat and in the field, but we have still got room to improve, and that's exciting for this group.

“I think as a bowling unit today, we were fantastic to keep such a good side to under 160.

^{Starc claimed his third five-wicket haul in World Cups}

“I think the fantastic thing about our 15 guys is we've got several that can open the bowling. We have got several guys that make up good combinations. We've had all 15 part take part so far in the tournament. Guys are ready to go if called upon.

“We're finding ways to scrap and to restrict teams, and we keep improving every game. We're finding ways to win. 

“I think a big part of that is our calmness and I think that's probably led by Finchie [Aaron Finch]. He's been fantastic as a captain.”

With 24 wickets to his name, Starc is just three short of beating Glenn McGrath’s record for most wickets in a single World Cup. What would that mean to the bowler?

“Not much if we don’t win the World Cup.”

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