Mitchell Starc once again demonstrated why he is one of the most useful lower-order batter of Test cricket. During the second innings of WTC Final 2025 at Lord's, he hit a solid half-century that brought Australia's lead to 281 runs.
The contest was gripping, with both sides exerting great efforts to take charge. However, when South Africa was taking the charge after dismissing Aussie batters early, Starc remained composed under pressure and played a crucial knock.
He struck some nice shots, rotated the strike excellently, and stayed grounded when Australia needed him most. The lower-order batter played 136 balls, the most by any player in this match in first three innings. At one point, it seemed impossible for Australia to go past 200. But a 59-runs partnership between Starc (58*) and Hazlewood (17) took Australia to 207 in the 2nd innings.
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Most 50+ Scores from No. 9 or Below - Starc Leads the Way
This half-century wasn't significant only for the team, it made history too. With this knock, Starc now has 8 such 50+ scores while batting at no. 9 or below. This is the most by any player in Test cricket at that position.
Here's the list of players with the most 50+ scores from No. 9 or below:
| Player | Half-Centuries at No. 9 or below | Country |
| 8 | Mitchell Starc | Australia |
| 6 | Stuart Broad | England |
| 6 | Daniel Vettori | New Zealand |
| 5 | Michael Holding | West Indies |
| 5 | Kiran More | India |
| 5 | Tim Southee | New Zealand |
| 5 | England |
Just two players have made five 50+ scores from No. 9 or lower in a single country, Mitchell Starc and Stuart Broad, and both in England.
Starc's knock at the end has frequently rescued Australia, and this recent fifty in a high-profile final reiterates his worth. As the match still hangs on a knife's edge, Starc's innings can turn out to be a turning point as chasing over 250 at Lord's won't be a cakewalk for South Africa.
