image source: ICC X
Amid the lush green landscape of the beautiful Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica last evening, there was much reason to celebrate for the Australians as not only were they looking to ascend to an insurmountable three-nil series win over thepaltry West Indies in the ongoing Test series but also their premier fast bowler, the indomitable Mitchell Starc was all set to feature in his 100th Test.
100 Tests, truly a remarkable feat for this lanky left arm quickat a time when featuring in 100 ODIs is also considered a substantial achievement considering the desire to alienate the pride of playing for one’s country to earn the quick and big buck that’s on offer with the lucrative T20 leagues.
While money is undoubtedly important to feed one’s belly and have a so-called respectable image in society, perhaps in my humble opinion true respect comes from what kind of difference one can make for their motherland?
Well, Mitchell Starc has most certainly made his mammoth county proud by having a career that’s spanned almost one and a half decade and is still going strong with 99 appearances before this ongoing game in 141 Tests that the Kangaroos have played since his debut against New Zealand way back in 2011.
To put things into perspective, this lethal paceman has competed in 70 percent of the matches that Australia has played at a time when most other quicks pick and chose the Tests they want to compete in.
A true testament not only to his commitment to his motherland but also his will to remain on the park and moreover injury free over the last 14 years.
Let this sink in!
And when a bowler has the burning desire to always remain on the park, the records speak for themselves with Starc mounting 395 cherries in his 99 Tests at a strike rate of 48, the quickest for any paceman having featured in these many Tests leaving greats like McGrath, Ntini, Akram and Botham to play catch up.
The records only soar when one digs in deeper
These numbers only get better as one dives further into the enigma that is Mitchell Starc with the Aussie occupying a rather enviable number two position for any fast bowler to pick up maximum scalps in his opening over in the longest format.
His record stands at 20, which means 20 times he has picked a wicket in his opening over, with the numero uno position going to the mighty James Anderson at 29, this after the Englishman has competed in 188 Tests as compared to Starc’s 99. Almost double the amount Starc has played.
Perhaps a stark difference in Mitchell reaching 20 in just 99 Tests vis-à-vis Jimmy’s 29 in 188 which leaves one to ponder if Starc were to make the milestone of 188 Tests, he possibly could soar to almost 40 times to take a wicket in his opening over on the simple math of purely doubling from where he is currently.
Well, these are just presumptions with both the stalwarts being mighty fine in their own right!
With this being said, when one talks about making victories possible for their respective nations, Mitch is again right up there with 246 wickets out of his total 395 resulting in hurrahs for his country which again puts him as the head of the table leaving greats like Stuart Broad and Anderson trailing in the list.
Undoubtedly what dreams are made of!
Can the 400 milestone beckon in his 100th Test?
With Australia skittled out rather meekly last evening for all of 225 in the first Day&Night Test in the Caribbean Islands, Starc has motivation galore to make his team comeback into the contest by picking up wickets aplenty and has already stepped foot in that direction by mounting his 396th scalp of opener Kevlon Anderson who was clean bowled by this Australian icon.
With four more cherries left to reach the monumental milestone of 400 Test wickets, one would undoubtedly hope that perhaps this is the game that could see Starc rise to the occasion as he has done so many times in the past, making not only his country proud but the entire cricketing sphere spellbound with the magic this lad weaves consistently.
At 35 years and 164 days, age is unquestionably catching up with Mitchell albeit his desire to continue to don the Baggy Green is one of utmost pride especially in the longest format.
One perhaps shouldn’t be surprised to see this stalwart not only partake in the Ashes that happens on the Australian shores later this year but also still be available when the Kangaroos take the flight to the United Kingdom come 2027.Well, such is his passion to relentlessly go on and on in an age where international retirements are coming young and fast.
The die-hard Australian fan would undoubtedly hope that the 2027 Ashes story does take fruition for this man par excellence albeit for now, we again salute Mitchell Starc for soaring to his 100th Test which is not just a milestone — it’s a tribute to a career built on fire, fight, and fierce loyalty to the Baggy Green.
