Mitchell Starc's Australian teammates were quick to celebrate his record-breaking five-wicket haul against the West Indies
Starc breaks record, earns new nickname
An highly productive night at the World Cup has seen Mitchell Starc leave Trent Bridge with an impressive record to his name, and a new nickname to go with it.
Playing his 77th ODI, Starc picked up figures of 5-44 to become the fastest bowler ever to 150 one-day international wickets, one match quicker than Pakistan great Saqlain Mushtaq, as Australia fought back late to claim a 15-run victory over the West Indies.
The performance also led teammate Nathan Lyon to label Starc 'FLOAT' on Instagram, presumably an acronym for 'Fastest Left-Armer Of All Time'.
Image Id: E54726F69CC144B4A04205404E2172E5 Image Caption: The 'GOAT' adds to the family with a new nickname for Mitchell Starc // Instagram
Lyon, known as the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) owing to his status as Australia's most prolific Test off-spinner, has frequently been sheepish about his nickname, much to the enjoyment of his long-time teammate Starc.
No doubt the Aussie spinner will be hoping the nickname of FLOAT sticks to get his own back on the left-arm quick.
In addition to his record-breaking efforts, the moniker could easily refer to Starc's sheer pace against the Windies. He hit the 150km/h mark on multiple occasions and conceded just two runs in his final 14 balls.
"I felt really good today," Starc said.
"Rhythm is starting to feel really good, and the things I've been working on the last few months are really coming to fruition, so that's a huge positive for me."
Starc's performance was key for the Australians after they had slumped to 4-38 early in the match before Steve Smith started the recovery with a measured 73 and Nathan Coulter-Nile whacked a career-high 92 from 60 balls.
Defending a total of 288, Starc and Pat Cummins put the Aussies straight on the front foot with the ball, removing openers Evin Lewis and Chris Gayle in the first five overs.
Starc got the dangerous Gayle at the third time of asking on 21, after the Jamaican twice successfully reviewed lbw and caught behind decisions.
Image Id: ABE3232D48794779ADF13EF5CB34DB66 Image Caption: Starc and his Australian teammates celebrate the wicket of Chris Gayle // Getty
He then returned to rip the heart out of the West Indies line-up late in the chase and keep Australia undefeated after two games in the tournament.
He claimed the prized scalp of the powerful Andre Russell for 15, before taking the wickets of Carlos Brathwaite and Jason Holder in the same over just as the match swung in the Windies' favour.
Needing 37 from 27 balls, Brathwaite tried to take on a Starc slower ball but only succeeded in skying it to Aaron Finch at mid on, before Holder pulled him to short fine leg.
"It's something I enjoy doing, bowling at the death," Starc said.
"Having that experience of four years ago (at the 2015 World Cup) probably helps play a part, but we've got guys that can bowl throughout an innings and bowl at the death."
Cummins also fired, his figures of 2-41 including three maiden overs and the key wicket of Shai Hope for 68 as the right-hander aimed to anchor the West Indies' innings.
Australia will, however, have concerns about their top order's collapse, after the West Indies delivered on their threat of peppering them with short stuff.
Usman Khawaja was roughed up with two body blows before he was caught behind backing away and trying to drive Andre Russell on 13.
Glenn Maxwell then skied a pull shot off Cottrell straight to wicketkeeper Hope for a second-ball duck.
Aaron Finch and David Warner had also fallen early; Finch nicking off to a good Oshane Thomas delivery before Warner was caught at backward point slashing at Cottrell (2-56).
But after Alex Carey (45) and Smith stabilised, Coulter-Nile was the hero as his 92 included four sixes and marked the highest score by a lower-order batsman in World Cup history.
Fastest to 150 ODI wickets
Mitchell Starc (Aus) – 77 matches
Saqlain Mushtaq (Pak) – 78
Trent Boult (NZ) – 81
Brett Lee (Aus) – 82
Ajantha Mendis (SL) - 84
2019 World Cup
Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
June 1: Australia beat Afghanistan by seven wickets
June 6: Australia beat West Indies by 15 runs
June 9: India v Australia, The Oval
June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton
June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval
June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge
June 25: England v Australia, Lord's
June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)
July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)
July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford
July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston
July 14: Final, Lord's
Sync Australia's World Cup schedule to your calendar HERE
For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE