Mitchell Starc bowled an absolute stunner of a ball to take the key wicket of England dangerman Ben Stokes as reigning champions Australia became the first team to book their place in the semi-finals of the World Cup at Lord’s on Thursday.
When left-arm fast bowler Starc yorked Stokes for 89, England were 177/6 off 37 overs, chasing a target of 286.
The huge 64-run victory also dealt a blow to England’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages. Australia captain Aaron Finch made exactly 100 in a total of 285/7.
England’s reply saw them lose a wicket off just the second ball of their chase, with the struggling James Vince – only playing because Jason Roy was out with a hamstring injury – bowled by an inswinger from the recalled Jason Behrendorff.
Starc took a total of four wickets in nine balls to become the tournament’s leading bowler with 19 to his name.
Starc gets Stokes with a 😍 yorker!#CmonAussie | #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/9BRwsv4YpW
— ICC (@ICC) June 25, 2019
The cricket community was amazed by the brilliant yorker as well, calling it the ball of the World Cup 2019.
That, from Mitch Starc to Ben Stokes, has to be one of the best yorkers you will see. Almost certainly the ball that guarantees Australia a place in the semi-final.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 25, 2019
That Starc Yorker. Cleaned up a well-set Stokes. Ball of the tournament??? Since Starc is an Aussie...it does qualify ☺️🙌 #EngvAus #CWC19
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 25, 2019
According to CricViz's Model, that Starc yorker had a Wicket Probability of 22%, according only to the ball-tracking data. No other delivery bowled today was as likely to take a wicket. #CWC19
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 25, 2019
The picture says it all. #CWC19 https://t.co/mDUEJNsdbY
— Vinit Raichandani (@FreebirdGhalib) June 25, 2019
Pls added it to the ‘Ball of the century list’. No am not joking. You need a million eyes to appreciate this beauty. 🔥❤️ #CWC19 #ENGvAUS #AUSvENG #Starc https://t.co/nX17U3gMd9
— Gopal Padmanaban (@WordinmyMouths) June 25, 2019
Best ball of the day, to England's key batsman, just as the game was starting to come to life. Controlled the reverse, didn't give Stokes a sighter, nailed his length, line and pace. Starc really is a phenomenon. #CWC19 https://t.co/70CSv2WOYH
— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) June 25, 2019
Mitchell Starc bowling to Ben Stokes has produced an iconic image yet again. Both times at Lord's. pic.twitter.com/AW4dy73ttH
— absy (@absycric) June 25, 2019
Mitchell Starc's best Wasim Akram impression... #CWC19 https://t.co/As4fQIr9iB
— Evan Edmond (@evnedmnd) June 25, 2019