Mitchell Starc is on the cusp of joining one of Test cricket’s most exclusive clubs, but the Australian pace spearhead isn’t getting carried away.
The left-arm quick needs just one more wicket to draw level with Indian legend Kapil Dev on the all-time list of Test wicket-takers. With 433 wickets in 105 Tests, Starc is poised to equal Kapil’s tally of 434 when Australia begin their two-Test series against Bangladesh in Darwin on August 13.
Should he pick up seven wickets across the series, Starc would also move past South African great Dale Steyn, who finished his illustrious career with 439 Test scalps.
For a fast bowler who has been Australia’s strike weapon across all formats for well over a decade, the milestone is another testament to his remarkable longevity. Yet, Starc insists individual records are far from his mind.
“It means I’ve played a bit,” Starc told Australian Associated Press when asked about closing in on Kapil’s landmark.
“It’s cool and very humbling to be spoken about with those guys. But that stuff doesn’t mean a whole lot while you’re still playing. You don’t get too far ahead.”
ELITE COMPANY
Starc’s rise up the wicket charts has been one of consistency as much as brilliance. Since making his Test debut in 2011, the left-armer has terrorised batters with his trademark pace, late swing and deadly yorkers.
Among Australian bowlers, only the legendary Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563) and current off-spinner Nathan Lyon (567) have taken more Test wickets than Starc.
The 36-year-old also heads into the Bangladesh series in red-hot form. He is the leading wicket-taker in the current World Test Championship cycle with 46 wickets from just eight Tests, underlining his importance to Australia’s pace attack.
STILL EVOLVING
Starc believes the biggest reason behind his longevity has been his willingness to adapt.
Now 36 and in his 16th year of international cricket, the veteran says he has continued to refine his craft rather than relying solely on raw pace.
“When you’re 36 and you’ve been around for 16 years, you’d like to think you’ve improved or got better at something,” Starc said.
“You’re also around that long because you’re able to develop and learn and improve.”
The Australian also pointed to technical changes, including the addition of the wobble-seam delivery, as key reasons behind his sustained success.
“And you add in a few things like the wobble seam, consistency and other things. I have a pretty clear mindset on it all,” he said.
Having skipped the latter part of the franchise season after a brief IPL stint earlier this year, Starc enters the Bangladesh series well-rested and with another significant milestone within touching distance.
Matching Kapil Dev would further cement his place among the greatest fast bowlers of the modern era. But if Starc’s comments are anything to go by, personal milestones can wait. For now, his focus remains firmly on helping Australia begin the new World Test Championship cycle on the right note.
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