Mitchell Starc Suffers Cramp in Australia's T20 World Cup Opener

Australia's T20 World Cup campaign got off to a winning start, but they had a scare when veteran pacer Mitchell Starc was forced off the field with a cramp during their match against Oman.

Starc bowled just one delivery in his fourth over before he was subbed off by Cameron Green. The left-arm pacer bowled a wide and was visibly in pain after the delivery. Physios came out and gave him on-field treatment, and Starc eventually walked off the field.

After the game, Australia captain Mitchell Marsh provided an update on Starc's condition. "Starcy was just a cramp so didn't want to take a chance," Marsh said in the post-match presentation. "When Starcy says I am okay to go off you let him go off."

Despite Starc's absence, Australia managed to pull off a comfortable 39-run win. However, the match was closer than the scoreline suggests. Oman had their moments to shine throughout the game, and at one point, they had Australia by the ropes.

After being put to bat, Australia struggled to muster up runs on the board. In the ninth over, Mehran Khan was on a hat-trick after removing Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell on back-to-back deliveries.

But Marcus Stoinis and David Warner pulled Australia out of their misery with their 102-run stand. The bowlers kept their composure and effectively dealt with the threat that Oman batters carried.

"Close game. Good to get the win. It's not going to be the 200 types in this tournament. We are kind of going to the old T20 style here in this tournament," Marsh said.

"(On Stoinis) Took his time and showed his experience. We are looking forward to playing England. Different conditions here. Oman v Australia was a tight one, great for the game of cricket. There is sun here and we will enjoy that. It's going to be a great game," he added.

After clinching a 39-run win in their campaign opener, Australia will now face their arch-rival England on Saturday at the Kensington Oval, Barbados.

Tags: #MitchellStarc, #Australia, #T20WorldCup, #Oman, #Cricket