Mitchell Starc is on the cusp of becoming only the fourth Australian bowler and the second fast bowler from the country to take 400 Test wickets. The others to have achieved the feat are Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Nathan Lyon. Starc will have a chance to reach the milestone in Australia’s Day-Night Test against the West Indies, starting July 12 at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.
Currently, Starc has taken 395 wickets from 99 matches with 15 five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket hauls. The left-arm pacer has been in impressive form in the series, having taken eight wickets from two matches at an economy rate of 4.02 with a three-wicket haul to show for his efforts.
Most wickets for Australia in Test cricket
Shane Warne – 708 wickets from 145 matches
Glenn McGrath – 563 wickets from 124 matches
Nathan Lyon – 562 wickets from 139 matches
Mitchell Starc – 395 wickets from 99 matches
Dennis Lillee – 355 wickets from 70 matches
Starc to join elite club
Starc is also set to become the 16th Australian cricketer to play 100 or more Tests. Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, Allan Border, Shane Warne, Nathan Lyon, Mark Waugh, Glenn McGrath, Ian Healy, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke, David Warner, David Boon, Justin Langer, Mark Taylor and Matthew Hayden are the others.
Australia have already claimed the series after taking an unassailable 2-0 lead with their massive 133-run win at the National Cricket Stadium in St Georges, Grenada. After the ongoing Tests, Australia will lock horns with the West Indies in five T20Is from July 20 to 28.
Most Tests for Australia
Ricky Ponting – 168 matches
Steve Waugh – 168 matches
Allan Robert Border – 156 matches
Shane Keith Warne – 145 matches
Nathan Michael Lyon – 139 matches
Mark Waugh – 128 matches
Glenn McGrath – 124 matches
Ian Healy – 119 matches
Steven Smith – 118 matches
Michael Clarke – 115 matches
David Warner – 112 matches
David Boon – 107 matches
Justin Langer – 105 matches
Mark Taylor – 104 matches
Matthew Hayden – 103 matches
– Ends