Six-fer Starc was denied another over

2015 World Cup

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc could do nothing but laugh when his side lost by one wicket to New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday, having taken six wickets and asking his skipper to keep going but being denied.

Starc became the first Australian to take two six-fers in ODIs, and at one stage was on a hat-trick in the thrilling game that saw the Black Caps nearly fail to chase 152 to win. Kane Williamson hit a six to win, and Starc was seen having a wry smile on the boundary.

The paceman said he wanted to keep going when he was in full stride and the wickets tumbling, but was taken off by the captain, Michael Clarke, and the ball given to Mitchell Johnson, and the Kiwis got some breathing room.

Starc said: "Hindsight is a great thing. I think I was blown a little bit, but Mitchy's done it really well for a long time. I'm not the captain so if I get told to have a break I'll have a break otherwise I'll keep going.

"I asked to have another one but Pup's the captain and he's been a great captain for a long time so I back every decision he makes."

Starc was happy that it wasn't yet another 600-run game, and that the bowlers got a bit of the spotlight in a tournament dominated by big runs. New Zealand paceman Trent Boult took five wickets too.

Starc added: "Both teams bowled really well, New Zealand have been bowling really well for a long time. It was great to see ball dominate over bat for a change. As we've seen throughout the World Cup so far, it's been a lot of big scores.

"Entertainment wise it was great to see a 150 play 150 game, unfortunately we weren't on the winning side so it's dampened a little bit."

The young paceman has been in and out of the Test side but has become a top pick for the shorter formats. He was impressive during the Big Bash League earlier in the year, and credited the coaches for his uptick in form.

The paceman explained: "It's something I've worked really hard at for a long time now. Coming off the IPL last year when I dropped my arm a little, it's something I worked hard on with Craig McDermott and Troy Cooley up in Brisbane.

"It's great to see it working and being consistent and something I'm really confident in is my white-ball bowling … The rewards are great but it's the wins we're after."

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