Australia pacer delays departure from Bangladesh to support his partner and wicketkeeper-batsman Alyssa Healy as the women's team played West Indies in the World T20 semi-finals yesterday
Mitchell Starc and Alyssa Healy
Mirpur: Behind every successful woman, there is a man. At least Australian women's team stumper Alyssa Healy would not find any reason to differ.
Special spectator: Australia pacer Mitchell Starc looks on from the stands during the ICC Women's World T20 semi-final encounter between Australia and West Indies at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka yesterday. The Australian women emerged victorious by eight runs. Pics/Getty Images
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As the Australian women's team went through the paces just before their World T20 semi-final against the West Indies here yesterday, a strapping young man was seen entering the Club House arena of the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium rather unnoticed.
It was Mitchell Starc, the Australian fast bowler, who has stayed back to support his girlfriend Alyssa for her important knock-out matches.
Wearing a black polo neck and white three quarters, Starc quietly entered and showed his ticket to the security staff, which guided him towards the VIP lounge.
Australia women's cricketer Alyssa Healy scored a 21-ball 30 yesterday as the Oz eves beat West Indies by eight runs in the ICC World T20 semi-finals
Are you here to support the women's team, "Yeah, mate. They have done much better than the men's team, haven't they? Starc replied to the query.
So there would be some support for Alyssa, right? "Yeah, I have definitely come to support her and hope she does well. I have just stayed back to spend some time with her," he smiled as he stopped the lift to speak.
A holiday after the tournament gets over, "Yeah, I suppose, we would take a break". Well, Starc's presence certainly made the difference as Healy's 21-ball 30 was an important factor in the team's eight-run win yesterday that saw the aussie eves storm into the final. Alyssa is also the niece of former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian Healy.