Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc is set to reach a significant milestone as he prepares to play his 100th Test match against West Indies in Kingston on Sunday, becoming only the second Australian pace bowler after Glenn McGrath to achieve this feat. Starc’s journey to this milestone has been marked by his resilience through injuries and his commitment to managing his workload, including choosing to skip IPL opportunities.In his 99 Tests so far, he has claimed 395 wickets, including 15 five-wicket hauls and 20 four-wicket hauls, often turning games with devastating spells.The left-arm fast bowler has established himself as a crucial member of the Australian bowling attack, forming a formidable partnership with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. His achievements include winning two 50-over World Cups and being part of the Australian squad that secured the World Test Championship in 2023.“I’ve looked after or tried to look after my body and be able to find ways through pain barriers to make an impact for the team,” Starc told cricket.com.au. “I’ve been a player that’s been injured and left them a man down before, and I never wanted to do that again. So to find ways when things weren’t going well, or things were sore, or if I was carrying something, to still be able to push through and finish games and still be impactful, was part of it. But I’ve also had a lot of help along the way, with trainers and physios and my best mates being teammates, all helped me to keep playing and wanting to compete and still be a part of the group.”
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Starting his cricket journey as a wicketkeeper in age-group cricket, Starc’s transformation into one of Australia’s premier fast bowlers has been remarkable. His dedication to the game and ability to maintain his performance levels despite physical challenges has been a defining aspect of his career.“I didn’t think I’d play one (Test),” said Starc. “(It’s) pretty humbling to play that much. A huge honour, probably something more to reflect on when I’m finished. Anytime you’re mentioned alongside some of those names, like Glenn (and) I’ve been fortunate enough to play with Mitchell Johnson (73 Tests), ‘Sidds’ (Peter Siddle, 67 Tests) and ‘Rhino’ (Ryan Harris, 27 Tests) and to have a bit of relationship with Brett (Lee, 76 Tests), I’ve been very lucky through cricket to a meet those guys and then play alongside or learn different pieces from them.”Throughout his career, Starc has prioritized his commitment to the Australian team, consistently pushing through physical challenges to avoid leaving his team short-handed. His approach to managing his workload, including decisions to skip lucrative IPL opportunities, has contributed to his longevity in Test cricket.The upcoming Test in Kingston represents not just a personal milestone for Starc but also highlights his contribution to Australian cricket during a period of transition. His ability to maintain his effectiveness at the highest level of cricket, despite early career doubts about his Test cricket longevity, underscores his resilience and dedication to the sport.
