Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has opted to downplay the significance of potentially breaking into the top ten on the all-time Test wicket-takers list during the upcoming series against Bangladesh. Starc is also in the rare league of fast bowlers to have featured in 100 or more Tests. While acknowledging that being mentioned alongside legends like Kapil Dev and Dale Steyn is a “cool and very humbling” experience, the 36-year-old insists that he will not get ahead of himself while still actively competing in international cricket. “When you're 36 and you've been around for 16 years, you'd like to think you've improved or got better at something,” Starc said.
Starc, who has appeared in 105 Test matches, currently sits at 433 wickets. He is just one scalp away from matching Kapil Dev’s career total of 434 and remains six wickets behind Dale Steyn’s mark of 439. Reflecting on these numbers, Starc told the Australian Associated Press that reaching such a milestone simply means he has “played a bit.” He added that such statistics do not carry much weight while a player is still in the middle of their career, noting the importance of staying present.
Since the start of 2022, the left-arm quick has picked up 164 wickets from 41 Tests. The veteran left-arm quick enjoyed a remarkable 2025, taking 55 wickets in 11 Tests—the highest tally for any bowler that year. His performance was particularly notable during Australia’s 4-1 Ashes victory, where he stepped up as the leader of the pace attack in the absence of teammates Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, finishing the series with 31 wickets at an average of 19.94. His 2025 bowling average of 17.32 marked his most successful calendar year to date.
Starc attributes his recent form to a clearer mental approach, guided by the philosophy of his team under head coach Andrew McDonald and captain Pat Cummins. He noted that the group focuses on moving on quickly from both good and bad spells. Furthermore, Starc continues to refine his craft, incorporating technical improvements like the wobble seam to maintain his effectiveness. Having been sidelined since his stint with the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, Starc is preparing for his return to the pitch in the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, which begins on August 13.
