Mitchell Starc joins elite list, becomes 5th Australian with 350 Test wickets

Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc added yet another milestone to his bucket and became the 5th Australian bowler to complete 350 Test wickets. Starc achieved the landmark on Day 1 of the second Test match against West Indies. Starc dismissed West Indies batsmen Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze to achieve the milestone. Starc needed two wickets ahead of the Gabba Test to add his name to the elite list.

Legendary Australia spinner Shane Warne (708), pacer Glenn McGrath (563), spinner Nathan Lyon (512), and former fast bowler Dennis Lille (355) are the Australian bowlers ahead of Mitchell Starc. Starc will have the chance to get past Lille in the series as he has already taken 351 wickets and looking at his form he can take many more.

Mitchell Starc joins the elite list with 350th Test wicket

Mitch Starc reaches No.350 with a classic Starc delivery! #MilestoneMoment | @nrmainsurance | #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/GkLGjFTFJ8

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 25, 2024

Winning the toss and deciding to bat first at The Gabba in Brisbane, it was yet another poor start for the West Indies as they lost captain Kraigg Braithwaite for 4 runs off 25 balls, and the visitors lost their first wicket for a score of just 9 runs. Kirk McKenzie and Tagenarine Chanderpaul tried to play some shots after the fall of the first wicket and were aiming to bring the West Indies innings back on track.

Kirk McKenzie gave away his wicket to Pat Cummins after adding 33 runs from 45 balls with Tagenarine Chanderpaul for 21 runs. Chanderpaul didn’t last long at the crease and was removed by Mitchell Starc for 21 runs from 48 balls. Alick Athanaze became the second victim of Mitchell Starc and fell for 8 runs from 22 balls. Soon after his departure, Starc struck again and removed Justin Greaves for 6 runs off 10 balls.

West Indies were reduced to 64/5 in 25.4 overs, which looked like another disappointing end for the visitors. However, Kavem Hodge and Joshua Da Silva stayed at the crease for long and played the whole second session and ensured that no other wicket fell.

West Indies finished at 145/5 at dinner with Kavem Hodge unbeaten on 44 runs from 107 balls whereas, Joshua Da Silva played on 37 runs from 83 balls. Both the batsmen will be aiming to play the third session with the same calmness and composure and take the visitors to a decent first-innings score on Day 1.

The first Test between both teams was won by the hosts with a dominating margin of 10 wickets. Australia continued their dream run at home after defeating Pakistan by 3-0. West Indies were wrapped up for 188 and 120 runs in both innings of the Adelaide Test whereas, Australia as well showcased a decent batting approach and scored 283 runs in the first innings and chased down 26 runs with ease without losing a wicket.

Travis Head was the hero of the first Test between Australia and West Indies, as he ended up scoring a ton and became the Player of the Match.

Australia would aim to win yet another Test series and also strengthen their position in the World Test Championship 2023-25 standings. Australia are the current World Test Champions and have showcased why they are the best team in the world in the modern era.