Darwin (Australia): The opening day of the Test series against Bangladesh on Thursday was not a particularly good one for the hosts, Australia, but it turned into a memorable day for fast bowler Mitchell Starc, as he achieved two major milestones with just one wicket. He became the left-arm bowler with the most wickets in Test cricket. Secondly, with 434 wickets to his name, he equalled the tally of India’s legendary fast bowler Kapil Dev.
Australia were bowled out for just 198, after which Bangladesh reached 96 for the loss of only one wicket. That lone wicket was taken by Mitchell Starc, who had opener Shadman Islam caught by Nathan Lyon.
At 36, Mitchell Starc’s wicket was the 434th of his Test career. He is now 11th on the list of the highest wicket-takers in Test cricket. However, all 10 bowlers above him are right-arm bowlers, while Starc is a left-arm fast bowler. Starc has now become the left-arm bowler with the most wickets in Test cricket, with 434. In addition to equalling Kapil Dev’s tally of 434 wickets, he also surpassed Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath, who had 433 wickets. Before Thursday, Herath was the left-arm bowler with the most Test wickets.
Also Read:Hasan Mahmud’s Career-Best 6-Wicket Haul Rocks Australia in First Test
Kapil Dev was once the No. 1 wicket-taker among all bowlers in Test cricket. His record of 434 wickets remained untouched for many years. Currently, Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan leads the all-time Test wicket-takers’ list with 800 wickets.