On the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc claimed his first wicket, surpassing Dennis Lillee to secure the fourth position in the list of Australia’s leading wicket-takers in Test cricket.
During the 2nd Test match against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, Mitchell Starc demonstrated his prowess by claiming a total of 3 wickets. Pat Cummins, winning the toss, elected to bowl first, a decision that proved fruitful as the hosts were eventually dismissed for a mere 162.
Starc’s notable achievement came when he surpassed Dennis Lillee by dismissing New Zealand opener Will Young for 14 off 57 balls. This propelled him from the 5th to the 4th position in the esteemed list of Australia’s highest Test wicket-takers. Later in the day, Starc added two more wickets to his tally, sending Glenn Phillips packing for 8 and dismissing Scott Kuggeleijn for a golden duck.
As of the 2nd Test against Trans-Tasman rivals, Mitchell Starc sits at the 4th spot in Australia’s all-time highest wicket-takers, trailing behind cricket legends Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, and Nathan Lyon. With 354 Test wickets under his belt, the left-arm fast bowler is a crucial part of the Australian core group, alongside players like Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon.
Looking ahead, the 34-year-old is not far from the 3rd position, currently held by Nathan Lyon with 527 wickets. The only fast bowler from Australia to join the 500-club, Glenn McGrath, occupies the 2nd spot with an impressive 563 Test scalps. At the pinnacle of this illustrious list is the late Australian legend Shane Warne, who boasts a staggering 708 Test wickets from 145 matches.
As Mitchell Starc eyes a dominant performance in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in June, his contributions to the National side continue to solidify his place among Australia’s bowling greats.
Before the game kicked off, Tim Southee and Kane Williamson celebrated their 100th test match for New Zealand by stepping onto the field ahead of the teams, accompanied by their children. The packed stadium erupted in applause to honor their achievement. Additionally, Australia paid tribute to South African umpire Marais Erasmus, who officiated his 82nd and final test match, by forming a guard of honor for him.
Following New Zealand’s first-innings score of 162 at Christchurch, the Australian team showcased resilience despite the early dismissals of openers Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja. At the end of day 1, Australia finds themselves at 124/4.
List of Australia’s 10 Leading wicket-takers in Test Cricket
- Shane Warne: 708 wickets from 145 matches
- Glenn McGrath: 563 wickets from 124 matches
- Nathan Lyon: 527 wickets from 129 matches
- Mitchell Starc: 357 wickets from 89 matches
- Dennis Lillee: 355 wickets from 70 matches
- Mitchell Johnson: 313 wickets from 73 matches
- Brett Lee: 310 wickets from 76 matches
- Craig McDermott: 291 wickets from 71 matches
- Josh Hazlewood: 272 wickets from 70 matches
- Pat Cummins: 265 wickets from 65 matches
