Mitchell Starc Achieves 400 Test Wickets Milestone in Historic Performance
Starc Reaches 400 Wickets in Style
On July 15, in Kingston, Jamaica, veteran Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc etched his name in cricket history by becoming the fourth Australian to reach 400 wickets in Test matches. This remarkable achievement occurred during the third Test against the West Indies, where Starc delivered a breathtaking performance, concluding with career-best figures of 6 wickets for just 9 runs. His exceptional bowling not only dismantled the West Indies batting lineup but also earned him both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series accolades.
With this milestone, Starc surpassed Brett Lee's total of 718 international wickets, bringing his overall tally to 725 across all formats. Among Australian bowlers in Test cricket, he now ranks third in the all-time wicket-takers list, trailing only the legendary Shane Warne (999) and Glenn McGrath (948).
Notably, Starc's five-wicket haul was achieved in a record-setting 15 deliveries, marking the fastest five-wicket haul in Test cricket history. His lethal combination of swing and speed proved overwhelming for the West Indies, as he expertly dismantled their top order.
Starc's Career Evolution Post-30
Starc's career can be distinctly categorized into two phases: before and after he turned 30, both showcasing his impressive consistency. Prior to reaching 30, he participated in 57 Tests, claiming 244 wickets, which ranked seventh globally during that timeframe and was the highest for any Australian. He maintained a bowling average of 26.97 and a strike rate of 48.1, with his best figures being 6/50. During this period, he achieved 13 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket match hauls, bowling a total of 1958.5 overs across 109 innings, averaging about 107 balls per innings with an economy rate of 3.36.
After turning 30, Starc has played in 43 Tests, securing 158 wickets, the fourth-highest globally and third among Australians, behind Nathan Lyon (166) and Pat Cummins (172). His average of 27.08 and improved strike rate of 46.4 illustrate his ability to remain a formidable bowler as he ages. In this phase, he has recorded three five-wicket hauls, with his recent best of 6/9 against the West Indies. He has bowled 1223.3 overs in 83 innings, averaging around 88 balls per innings, with a slightly elevated economy of 3.49.
Starc's Record-Breaking Spell
Despite the physical demands of fast bowling increasing with age, Starc has maintained his sharpness, frequently delivering match-winning performances under pressure. His statistics post-30 reflect a bowler who has adeptly adapted to the challenges of the game.
Mitchell Starc's legacy now stands alongside Australia's cricketing greats, not only in terms of statistics but also through the memorable moments that have defined matches. From pink-ball Tests to World Cups and now this historic Test milestone, he has consistently demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the most accomplished fast bowlers of his era. In this match, Starc had figures of 3/0 after his first over, and with Australia setting a target of 204, the West Indies found themselves in dire straits at 7/5 after Starc's fifth wicket.
His 15-ball blitz broke Ernie Toshack's long-standing record for the fewest balls taken to achieve a five-wicket haul, set back in 1945. The West Indies faced further challenges from Boland, who took 3 wickets for just 2 runs, dismissing Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph, and Jomel Warrican in consecutive deliveries. Joseph and Warrican joined five other West Indian batsmen who were dismissed for ducks, with Starc's sixth wicket, clean bowling Jayden Seales, concluding the innings in just 14.3 overs.