Aussie quick Starc takes 300th Test wicket

Oliver Caffrey | December 19, 2022

Star quick Mitchell Starc is motivated by the chance to win a series in England and India after becoming the seventh Australian bowler to take 300 Test wickets.

The tall left-armer joined an illustrious group of bowlers, including Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and current teammate Nathan Lyon, by reaching the milestone against South Africa in Brisbane on Sunday.

Entering the match needing four wickets to bring up 300, Starc took three wickets during the first-innings to be stranded on 299.

However, the opening Test of the series moved at a rapid rate and he was back having another crack at his milestone 24 hours later.

Starc brought up 300 with a classic in-swinger to rattle the stumps of Proteas No.3 Rassie van der Dussen.

The pearler was reminiscent of his famous ball to dismiss New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum in the 2015 ODI World Cup final and it also brought up memories of other impressive 300-wicket milestones, including Warne’s at the SCG in 1998.

Starc’s 100th wicket came against Sri Lanka in 2016 and his 200th also happened facing the same opponents, and also at the Gabba, in 2019.

The 32-year-old said the next six-to-nine months were huge for Australian cricket and could not wait to be apart of it.

“Wickets aside, we’ve got an opportunity to win a series in India and then to win a series in England with hopefully a Test Championship in the middle,” Starc said.

“If I can play my part in that along the way, we’ve got a team and bowling attack that I call my closest mates.

“For me that’s as much of a carrot as I need to be a part of that.

The New South Welshman comfortably has the best strike-rate among the seven Australian bowlers to have at least 300 Test wickets at 49.5.

Starc has prioritised international cricket, turning down the riches on offers in the Indian Premier League.

A combination of injury and workload has led to Starc skipping the lucrative T20 tournament since 2015 when he played for Royal Challengers Bangalore, missing out on millions of dollars.

Australia captain Pat Cummins hailed Starc’s contribution.

You can talk about strike rate, average, all those things,” Cummins said.

“The longevity you’ve got to have to get 300 as a fast bowler, the injuries you’ve got to overcome … you’ve seen it all by the time you get to 300.

“You see the toil behind the wickets and performances.

“It puts him right in the upper echelon of great Aussie bowlers.”

AUSTRALIA’S LEADING TEST WICKET-TAKERS (* denotes still playing)

1. Shane Warne 708

2. Glenn McGrath 563

3. Nathan Lyon 454*

4. Dennis Lillee 355

5. Mitchell Johnson 303

6. Brett Lee 310