07 March 2020

Australian bowler Mitchell Starc to miss South Africa ODI to watch wife Alyssa Healy in T20 World Cup final in Melbourne

Pace bowler Mitchell Starc will not be available for Australia's ODI in South Africa on Saturday as he is returning home to watch his wife Alyssa Healy in the T20 World Cup final.

The 30-year-old fast-bowler has been married to the women's keeper since 2016.

So far this tournament, Healy has scored two half centuries, including her 51 against India in the opening game, and has been a lynchpin in the extensive Australian batting line-up while excelling behind the stumps.

Australia men’s head coach Justin Langer called the opportunity 'a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Mitch to watch Alyssa in a home World Cup Final', adding: "We were happy to allow him to return home to support his wife and be part of a fantastic occasion.

“It is something we have been talking about for a while," he continued.

"Given Mitch has had a considerable workload in all three formats this summer, his heading home a couple of days ahead of the rest of the squad means he will have a chance to refresh ahead of our home and away one-day internationals and Twenty20 Internationals against New Zealand that will wrap up our season."

Starc will be in the crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday March 8 as his wife's team take on India in a bid to defend the title and claim the trophy for a fifth time.

Organisers say they have already sold over 50,000 tickets and are hoping for a record crowd to watch the two teams battle it out and to see superstar Katy Perry perform in celebration of International Women's Day.

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