(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Mitchell Starc Joins Australia’s Elite with 400 Test Wickets in Landmark 100th Match
Australia has long been home to some of the finest fast bowlers in cricket history, but Mitchell Starc’s recent milestone has elevated him into truly elite company. With a stellar performance against the West Indies in Jamaica, the left-arm pacer has become just the fourth Australian to take 400 Test wickets, marking the feat during his 100th Test match.
Starc’s Stunning Spell in Jamaica
Defending a modest total of 204 runs in the third Test, Starc delivered a breathtaking display of fast bowling. His figures of 6/9 helped bowl out the West Indies for just 27 runs—the second-lowest total in Test history—and ensured a 3-0 series whitewash for Australia.
This latest performance solidifies Starc’s status as one of the most complete and dangerous fast bowlers in modern cricket.
Australia’s 400 Test Wickets Club
Only three Australians have achieved more Test wickets than Starc:
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy | 5W/10W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Warne | 145 | 708 | 8/71 | 25.41 | 2.65 | 37/10 |
| Glenn McGrath | 124 | 563 | 8/24 | 21.64 | 2.49 | 29/3 |
| Nathan Lyon | 139 | 562* | 8/50 | 30.14 | 2.94 | 24/5 |
| Mitchell Starc | 100 | 402 | 6/9 | 27.02 | 3.41 | 16/2 |
Starc Among the Fastest to 400 Test Wickets
In terms of deliveries bowled, Starc reached the 400-wicket mark in 19,062 balls, making him the second-fastest pacer by that metric, behind only Dale Steyn. He also became the 18th bowler overall and just the 10th pacer in Test history to reach this milestone.
Fastest to 400 Test Wickets (by matches played):
| Player | Matches | Opposition | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 72 | vs Zimbabwe | Galle |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 77 | vs England | Ahmedabad |
| Richard Hadlee | 80 | vs India | Christchurch |
| Dale Steyn | 80 | vs Bangladesh | Mirpur |
| Rangana Herath | 84 | vs Pakistan | Abu Dhabi |
| Mitchell Starc | 100 | vs West Indies | Kingston |
A Modern-Day Great
At 35 years old, Starc continues to be a match-winner for Australia across formats. With his blend of speed, swing, and experience, the pacer remains a central figure in Australia’s plans for future ICC events and Test series.
As he climbs further up the wicket-taking charts, Mitchell Starc’s legacy as one of Australia’s greatest fast bowlers is already secure. His performances continue to drive Australia’s dominance on the global stage, and fans can expect more memorable moments from the left-arm spearhead in the years ahead.
