MELBOURNE: Publicly labelled "soft" by former Spinw bowler Shane Warne only a few months ago, paceman Mitchell Starc has come of age at the cricket World Cup and could show key to Australia's hopes of winning a fifth trophy.
The 25-year-old left-armer currently leads the wickets tally at the event with 16 scalps at the finish of the pool phase, ahead of a clutch of bowlers with 15, but with an eye-popping average of 8.50.
"The ball's coming out nicely. I cannot complain. It is coming out consistently well, but more importantly we are winning games," Starc said in comments published by The Australian newspaper. "That's all that matters."
One time known as the "lesser Mitchell", Starc has put Australia's most feared strike bowler Mitchell Johnson firmly in the shade, the man left-armer taking a modest nine wickets at an average of 22.66.
Starc's form at cricket's global showpiece has elevated him to the most deadly wicket-taker in the one-day game.
"I've been working on different designs, whether that be in training or in a game, and it is lovely to see them coming off."
The Adelaide Oval has of Australia's slowest pitches, since its redevelopment as a venue for Australian Rules footy matches, but Starc's pace, bounce and variation could show a handful for Pakistan when the teams clash in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Starc has set the tone for Australia's campaign, capturing the team's first World Cup wicket in the opener against England when a flustered Moeen Ali tried to pull a short ball only to be beaten for pace and caught at mid-on.
They all but bowled out New Zealand with a six-wicket haul that dragged his team in to the match after they were skittled for 151 in Auckland and appeared ripe for humiliation.
His ability to swing the ball both ways and in to right-handed batsmen has prompted comparisons with Pakistan great Wasim Akram.
Only a few months ago, however, Starc was making headlines after outspoken expert Warne remarked that they looked "a bit soft" when struggling for line & length on a baking, hot day in the work of a Check match against India in Brisbane.
Straight-shooter George Bailey, who led Australia against England before making way for regular captain Michael Clarke, said Starc was "more feared as a 'death bowler' in the final overs than either of South Africa pace duo Dale Steyn & Morne Morkel.
Competing with a bull-pen of speedy bowlers for the third seamer spot behind Johnson & Ryan Harris, Starc has struggled to cement his place in Tests, being picked for match then tossed out on numerous occasions.
For a sporting country that values toughness above all qualities in elite sport, there's fewer criticisms more scathing than the 'S-word' & Warne was moved to clarify his comment after a later media storm.
They was dropped after the "soft" hard work in Brisbane, but returned for the final Check against India in Sydney & took wickets for the match."
His 15 matches have yielded 50 wickets at a modest average of 35.44.
But in a neat piece of symmetry, his first wicket in the Sydney match " having India opener Murali Vijay nicking behind " happened with Warne behind the microphone for the host broadcaster.
Before the Check they said they wasn't "losing sleep" over Warne's criticism.
Warne praised the bowler & has since jokingly claimed credit for his amazing form.
Starc has since let his work on the pitch do the speaking. 'Soft' won't be the first word thrown around when Pakistan's brain trust convene to prepare for Friday's match.
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