“Stay in your crease, it’s not that hard”: Mitchell Starc warns Theunis de Bruyn to stay inside crease at non-striker’s end during AUS vs SA Boxing Day Test

The Australian team stamped their dominance over the South African team by winning the Boxing Day test by an innings and 182 runs in Melbourne. The match ended on day four itself, and during the match, an interesting incident happened between Mitchell Starc and Theunis de Bruyn.

South Africa got all out for a score of 204 runs in the 2nd innings, where the last wicket was picked by Australia’s Steve Smith. The Proteas batters got starts, but they failed to convert them into big totals. Australian spinner Nathan Lyon took three wickets for the hosts.

The match was not an easy one for the Australians as both Mitch Starc and Cameron Green faced injury concerns, and they are a doubt for the 3rd test in Sydney. Although, with this win, Australia have won the series as well.

Mitchell Starc warns Theunis de Bruyn to stay inside crease

An interesting incident happened during the 19th over of the South African innings, where Mitchell Starc was bowling the over and Temba Bavuma was on the crease. Theunis de Bruyn was at the non-striker’s end, and he was constantly leaving the crease before Starc bowled the delivery.

Starc did not say a word for the first time, but he was quick in clearly giving a warning to de Bruyn who was doing it on a constant basis. He asked him to stay inside the crease, and the non-striker certainly followed his advice after the warning.

“Stay in your crease, it’s not that hard. The line is there for a reason mate,” Mitchell Starc said to Theunis de Bruyn.

“Stay in your crease, it’s not that hard!”

Part 2 of Starc v de Bruyn 👀 #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/I6bPWXAOSX

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 29, 2022

Starc managed to scalp just a single wicket in the 2nd innings, but he proved how much it means for him to play for Australia. He was nursing a finger injury and his finger was constantly bleeding, and he still chose to bowl instead of opting for rest.

The idea of running out a batter at the non-striker’s end has ignited a lot of controversies in the past as well. A few months ago, Indian Women’s cricket team player Deepti Sharma did the same against England Women.