Mitchell Starc Joins 400 Club, Yet Dale Steyn’s Red-Ball Brilliance Remains Unparalleled

Mitchell Starc eclipsed Australian greats Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne to become the fastest bowler from the country to claim 400 Test wickets.

Mitchell Starc Joins 400 Club, Yet Dale Steyn’s Red-Ball Brilliance Remains Unparalleled

Mitchell Starc is now the second fastest to 400 Test wicket, remaining behind South African legend Dale Steyn. (via Al Jazzera)

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Australian ace pacer Mitchell Starc is the new addition in the 400-Test wickets club, after he bowled a record-breaking spell in a victory over the West Indies, at Kingston, Jamaica. The 35-year-old however, remains way behind the record held by Dale Steyn, as the fastest to 400 scalps.

Mitchell Starc was all over the West Indies in the final Test at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. While it was a dismal outing for the Aussie batters, they managed to go past the line with a dominant bowling display. West Indies were poorly dismissed for just 143 runs in their first innings. The final innings on Day 3 belonged entirely to Mitchell Starc.

With the pink ball in hand, the 35-year-old tormented the West Indies’ batting lineup, as they were chasing a challenging target of 204 runs. Australia bowled out the home side for an unbelievable 27 runs in just 14.3 overs, the second-lowest total in Test innings history.

Starc was on fire from ball one, getting rid of opener John Campbell in the first over of the innings, followed that by the wickets of Kevlon Anderson and Brandon King off the final two deliveries of the first over.

Starc returned with another two wickets off just the fifth over, leaving the Windies reeling at 7/5. Mikyle Louis’ dismissal marked Starc’s 400th wicket in his 100th Test appearance, making him only the fourth Australian player, after Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, and Nathan Lyon, to achieve this remarkable feat. With the wicket of Shai Hope in the same over, Starc also set a new record for the quickest fifer in Test cricket history, achieving it in just 2.3 overs, eclipsing a 1947 record set by Ernie Toshack.

Mitchell Starc now has an astonishing 402 career Test wickets, at an average of 27.02. Since his red-ball debut in 2011, the Australian left-armer also secured his 16th five-wicket haul, finishing with career-best figures of 6/9 from his 7.3-over spell, against the West Indies. For these match-winning heroics against the West Indies, Starc was awarded both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series accolades.

Moreover, Starc also become the second-fastest bowler to reach 400 Test wickets, in an impressive 19,062 balls. While he is the quickest Australian to this milestone, Starc remains way behind South African fast bowling legend Dale Steyn. Despite a career shortened by several injury problems, Steyn still holds the record as the fastest to 400 Test wickets, having achieved it in just 16,634 deliveries.

Meanwhile, against the West Indies, Mitchell Starc was supported in his bowling effort by Scott Boland. The 36-year-old became only the tenth bowler to take a hat-trick for Australia in Tests, as he picked the wickets of Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph and Jomel Warrican in the final innings. 

Mitchell Starc Reflects on ‘Special’ Six-Wicket Haul Against West Indies in Centenary Test Appearance

Cementing his status among one of Australia’s all-time greats, Mitchell Starc showed off his abilities by claiming a record-breaking six-wicket haul against the West Indies, at Kingston, Jamaica. Speaking after the match, Starc noted that he would cherish this spell for a long time to come.

Mitchell Starc vs West Indies
Mitchell Starc stated that he would cherish his spell against the West Indies for a long time. (via Times Now)

Mitchell Starc reflected on an uncomfortable previous week in the West Indies, particularly due to the chatter surrounding his retirement as well as his 100th Test appearance. He expressed happiness at having sealed the series, and added that he has been in good rhythm for the past couple of days, especially during the away series against the Windies:

It’s certainly been uncomfortable throughout the week. I was happy just to have a win and sing the song. It’s certainly been a special week to play, to wear the baggy green. It’s been one I’ll cherish for a long time. – Mitchell Starc after claiming a six-wicket haul.

Once doubtful about playing with the pink ball, Mitchell Starc now holds the record for the most wickets with it, tallying 81. In his landmark 100th Test appearance, he also became only the second Australian bowler to reach this milestone for the nation.