Starc flying after impressive debut

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Mitchell Starc was pleased with his contribution after finally making his Yorkshire debut in yesterday’s Clydesdale Bank 40 seven-wicket victory over Derbyshire.

After being deported back to Australia following a visa issue, the 22-year-old was eventually given the green light to return to Leeds and make his White Rose bow against the Falcons.

Despite an impressive first-wicket stand of 134 from Martin Guptill, who smashed 88, and Chesney Hughes, Starc’s opening five-over spell cost just 17 runs.

And after returning at the death to complete his allocation, he claimed the wickets of Ross Whiteley, Dan Redfern and Tom Poynton en route to figures of 3-28 that restricted Derbyshire to 219 for eight.

"There has been a few flights involved, but I’m glad to be here playing some cricket," said Yorkshire's Australian seamer Mitchell Starc

When Starc’s fellow countryman Phil Jaques fell three short of a half-century, in-form Zimbabwean-born left-hander Gary Ballance saw his side home with a swashbuckling unbeaten 77 from 60 balls.

“There has been a few flights involved, but I’m glad to be here playing some cricket and it was a good win for the boys,” the 22-year-old said.

“It was good to get out there and have a bit of a run around. The ball came out pretty well and I’m very happy to contribute to a win.

“We worked hard to bring it back after they got away to a good start. We brought it back really well with the ball and we knew if we hung in there right to the end, we would be up to the challenge.

“Gary (Ballance) batted very well to get us there in the end.”

With only one team advancing to the next stage from each group, it was vital to Yorkshire’s CB40 campaign that they got off the mark following their comprehensive defeat to Kent in their first outing a fortnight ago.

Starc has called on his new team-mates to continue their momentum, starting with a trip to Sussex on Thursday.

“Only one goes through so hopefully we can build some momentum, like we have done over the last few weeks through the (LV= County) Championship,” he said.

“The boys have been going well so hopefully it continues. They have been great and very welcoming, they are a great bunch of guys and hopefully I can contribute to a few more wins.”

Starc, who has played four Tests for Australia, revealed he had the next Ashes in mind when favouring a switch to Headingley Carnegie over a lucrative deal to play in the Indian Premier League.

“I thought the best thing for my development was to come here rather than go to India and potentially not play any cricket,” he added.

“I wanted to come over here and play some red ball cricket, with the Ashes in mind.

“I have been to India before so to come to England to play, I have never been here before, and get used to the conditions was best for me and my development going forward.”

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