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In a thrilling display of cricketing excellence, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has etched his name into the annals of cricket history by achieving a special record on January 30, 2025. This milestone was reached on none other than his 35th birthday, during Day 2 of the first Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle.
A birthday to remember for Mitchell Starc
The Test match in Galle was already set to be a significant event with the picturesque Galle International Stadium as its backdrop, but Starc’s performance turned it into a day to remember for cricket fans around the world. With each delivery, anticipation grew, and when Starc finally secured his 700th wicket in international cricket, a feat that only three other Australian bowlers have achieved. Notably, Starc accomplished the landmark after dismissing Dimuth Karunaratne on the second ball of the 5th over of Sri Lanka’s first innings.
The Journey to special landmark
Starc’s journey to this landmark has been one of relentless hard work, skill, and dedication. Starting his international career back in 2010, he has been a mainstay in Australia’s bowling attack across all formats. His ability to swing the ball at pace, coupled with his knack for taking crucial wickets, has made him one of the most feared bowlers in the world.
- Test cricket: With his latest performance, Starc has further solidified his reputation in Test cricket, where his wicket-taking ability has often turned games in Australia’s favor. So far, Starc has taken 377 scalps in the longest format.
- One Day Internationals (ODIs): In ODIs, Starc’s contribution has been pivotal, especially in the powerplay overs, making him a match-winner on numerous occasions. The left-arm pacer has 244 wickets to his name in 127 ODIs.
- T20 Internationals: Even in the shortest format, Starc’s pace and variations have been a significant asset for Australia. He is the second-highest wicket-taker for Australia in T20Is, with 79 scalps to his credit in 65 matches.
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In the elite club
Notably, Starc became the fourth Australian to have 700 wickets in the international arena. In 287 matches, the lanky pacer has taken these many scalps. Former spinner Shane Warne is at the top with 999 international wickets followed by Glenn McGrath (948) and Brett Lee (718).
