Mitchell Starc Celebrates 100-Test Milestone: A Fast Bowler's Remarkable Journey

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has reached a significant milestone by playing his 100th Test match, becoming the 16th Australian to do so. Since his debut in 2011, Starc has maintained an impressive performance, with 395 wickets to his name. As he approaches the 400-wicket mark, Starc is on track to become one of the fastest bowlers to achieve this feat. This article explores his remarkable journey and contributions to cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 13, 2025, 11:47 IST

Mitchell Starc Reaches 100-Test Landmark

New Delhi: Jay Shah, the chair of the International Cricket Council, extended his congratulations to Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc for reaching the significant milestone of 100 Test matches. Shah emphasized that Starc, who debuted in 2011, continues to perform at an elite level.

Starc has now become the 16th Australian cricketer to achieve 100 Test appearances and is only the second fast bowler from Australia to do so, following in the footsteps of Glenn McGrath. He marked this achievement during the third Test against the West Indies at Sabina Park on Sunday.

In a message shared on X, Shah stated, “Congratulations to Australia’s Mitchell Starc for playing 100 Tests, a remarkable accomplishment for any cricketer, particularly for a fast bowler. He made his Test debut back in 2011 and remains at the peak of his performance.”

With this milestone, Starc joins an exclusive group of 15 other Australians who have earned 100 Test caps. He also becomes the 15th fast bowler overall, including all-rounders like Jacques Kallis and Ben Stokes, to achieve the dual milestone of 100 Test wickets and 100 Test matches.

Starc reached his 100th Test in the 14th year of his professional career, having first played against New Zealand in December 2011. Since then, he has participated in 99 of Australia’s 141 Tests, claiming 395 wickets at an average of 27.39 and an impressive strike rate of 48 balls per wicket.

To reach the 400-wicket milestone in 100 Tests, Starc needs just four more wickets. This achievement would place him among the eighth fast bowlers to reach this mark. Regardless of whether he achieves this in Jamaica, he is poised to become the second-fastest bowler to reach 400 Test wickets based on balls bowled, trailing only Dale Steyn, who accomplished this in 16,334 deliveries.

Currently, Starc has bowled 18,971 balls and is on track to reach the 400-wicket milestone at least 1,000 deliveries faster than the next closest bowler, Richard Hadlee (between 20,322 and 20,436 balls). He is also set to surpass Glenn McGrath, making him the fastest Australian to reach the 400-wicket mark by this measure.