T20 World Cup 2022: Daniel Vettori reveals leaving Mitchell Starc out was a tactical decision

Mitchell Starc and teammates against Ireland [Source: Associated Press]

In Australia's game against Afghanistan, in what came as a shocker to fans, Mitchell Starc was left out of the playing XI while Kane Richardson made his way into the squad in his place. Australian assistant coach Daniel Vettori defended the management's decision to leave out Starc. 

The Australian quick's T20I economy rate at the death overs has gone up from 8.66 to 10.30 in the last three years, while Richardson's economy rate is 9.50. Concerns were raised as Richardson conceded 16 runs in one of the death overs and Australia went on to win the match by a very close margin. 

Vettori on leaving out Starc

"It was a tactical decision [to leave out Starc], we brought in Kane to play the role he executed tonight at the back-end of the powerplay, looking at the death overs where Kane has been exceptional in the past."  

"We were looking to use Josh Hazlewood at the start and implement a plan around him and Pat [Cummins] being effective with the new ball and pushed Mitch into a role where he's competing with Kane Richardson, especially at the death where everyone thought Kane excels." 

"It was more around the effectiveness of Hazlewood and Cummins at the top and their ability to take the new ball and be wicket-takers, and therefore that pushed Starcy into a different role, and he obviously came up against Kane Richardson."

Australia is basically out of the tournament after losing the opening match against New Zealand and the match against England being abandoned. 

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