'Couple goals' - Twitter reacts to Mitchell Starc skipping final SA ODI to watch wife Alyssa Healy in T20 WC Final

The 2020 edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup is all set-up for what could be one of the greatest ever days in the history of Women’s cricket with defending champions and hosts Australia locking horns against the ultimate challengers Women in Blue, and the potential future powerhouse at the colosseum of cricket that is the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the summit encounter on Sunday (March 08).

It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Aussies as they aim to retain their crown in front of raucous home fans and it will be even more special for swashbuckling wicketkeeper-opener Alyssa Healy, who will have her husband, Mitchell Starc, rooting for her in the stadium.

Starc, who is currently in South Africa, will miss the final ODI of the three-match series in Potchefstroom in order to watch his wife play in the T20 World Cup final against India at the MCG.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Mitch to watch Alyssa in a home World Cup final and so we were happy to allow him to return home to support his wife and be part of a fantastic occasion,” Langer said.

Mitchell Starc set to cheer his wife Alyssa Healy at the World Cup final on Sunday

Langer revealed that another reason behind the decision is to give Starc a few days to freshen up before the home ODI series against New Zealand. The left-hander has featured in almost every International match that Australia has played over the summer which includes home series against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and limited-overs series in India and South Africa.

“It is something we have been talking about for a while and, given Mitch has had a considerable workload in all three formats this summer, his heading home a couple of days ahead of the rest of the squad means he will have a chance to refresh ahead of our home and away one-day internationals and Twenty20 internationals against New Zealand that will wrap up our season,” Langer said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

Meanwhile, Australia’s decision of letting Starc miss the final ODI to watch his wife has won many hearts on social media with fans, pundits and public figures from all walks of life hailing the move.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Australian team has allowed Mitchell Starc to watch the Women's T20 Final on Sunday which his wife will be playing for Australia in MCG as he won't be available for the third ODI against South Africa on tomorrow. #SAvAUS #T20WorldCup

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 6, 2020

Mitchell Starc is coming to watch Alyssa Healy play T20WC final and everyone is finding it cute. My husband watches me doing dishes and washing clothes daily, still no hype?

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) March 6, 2020

Mitchell Starc will miss the 3rd ODI against SA to watch his wife – Alyssa Healy, take part in the Women's World T20 Final!

That's relationship goals right there!

If only Sania Mirza had a tennis tournament around June last year! 😜#SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/eMSpBi8p2s

— Down The Ground (@downthegroundtw) March 6, 2020

Mitchell Starc has been permitted to return from home from South Africa, midway thru the series, to watch & support his wife Alyssa Healy when she plays the women's t20 world cup final at MCG vs India.

This is so lovely!

— KSR (@KShriniwasRao) March 6, 2020

8th March 2020
Mitchell Starc watching his wife Alyssa Healy in home World Cup Final against India at Melbourne.

15th November 2020
Alysaa Healy watching her husband Mitchell Starc in home World Cup Final against India at Melbourne.

Lifetime Opportunities!#T20WorldCup https://t.co/ftE5OfI0YN

— Manish 🏏 (@IManish311) March 6, 2020

Such a nice gesture from CA to allow Mitchell Starc to watch this lifetime match when your wife playing in a World Cup final in the home country.

What a moment.#T20WorldCup #SAvAUS

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 6, 2020

Mitchell Starc leaving South African tour to cheer his wife Alyssa Healy is cool and romantic but Anushka bhabhi leaving her shooting just to support her husband King Kohli is panauti and outrageous for haters.
Don't @ me.

— RCBian Piddu (@NavjaatSPiddu) March 6, 2020

Couple goals Heavy check mark Mitchell Starc to miss ODI and be there for Alyssa Healy's #T20WorldCup 🏆🏆 final

— AJIT KUMAR SINGH🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@Aztsing096) March 6, 2020

Mitchell Starc to miss 3rd ODI against South Africa to watch wife Alyssa Healy in Women’s T20 World Cup final against India…#couplesgoals

— Saddam khan (@freakedout_khan) March 6, 2020

2020 has been a shit shop so far but it will be hopefully remembered for being the year when Abhimanyu Singh missed a game to watch Preeti Sabarwal in the finals of the T20 World Cup #indiavsaus #chakdestark #MitchellStarc https://t.co/OSmhtbZowz

— Tanu Kaushik (@tanukaushik) March 6, 2020

Surely there is not a single person who would begrudge Mitchell Starc flying home to watch his wife and the Australian womens team play in the T20 World Cup Final?…..

Checks twitter….pleasantly surprised hardly any backlash!

— Rob Cucvara (@LoftusVersfeld) March 6, 2020

When Quinton de Kock heard the news that Mitchell Starc won't be playing in the 3rd ODI. https://t.co/K9wIiaFmXq pic.twitter.com/tp4zsb9m4z

— Blacks in Whites (@BlaqsInCricket) March 6, 2020