'I probably didn’t want to play cricket at all' - Mitchell Starc looks back at 'tough' but successful 2021

Mitchell Starc won the Allan Border Medal for the year 2021 on Saturday. With 41 wickets across all formats in the year, the Aussie was absolutely sensational in 2021. Besides, this is the first time in his career that he has won the prestigious medal.

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However, 2021 didn't really start well for Starc. He was below-average in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21, and was only able to pick eleven wickets in the four-match Test series at an average of 40.72. Besides, he was mediocre in the ICC T20 WC 2021, which took place in October-November.

“Obviously last year was particularly tough on and off the field. I probably didn’t play the cricket I wanted to and, at certain stages, I probably didn’t want to play cricket at all," said Mitchell Starc, as quoted by foxsports.com.au. Moreover, Shane Warne's blatant criticism of the pacer's bowling just before the Ashes 2021-22 managed to grab the headlines. However, the speedster said that it never really bothered him.

Shane Warne is entitled to his own opinion: Mitchell Starc

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“What would you like me to speak to him (Warne) about? It doesn’t interest me at all. He’s (Warne) entitled to his opinion. I’m just going to go about my cricket the way I’d like to, and I’ve got my family support networks and I get to play cricket with some of my best mates, so I’m pretty comfortable with where I’m at,” he said.

The express pacer was superb in the recently concluded Ashes 2021-22, as he went on to pick 19 wickets in the five Tests. Starc then said that the only opinions that matter to him are that of his family and friends. He mentioned that it has helped him to be in a pretty "level space".

“I made it a key point of mine to not pay too much attention to, I guess, opinions outside of my circle of trust if you like, which I did a few years ago. And I think that’s kept me in a pretty level space through the last few years with either not playing the cricket I wanted to, or certainly challenges off the field," Starc added.

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It is to be noted that the 31-year-old is the fifth bowler to have won the Allan Border medal. The others are Pat Cummins, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath. Further on, he was also awarded the ODI Men's Player of The Year.