Australian pacer Mitchell Starc achieved a significant career milestone on Thursday, becoming only the fourth Australian bowler to claim 700 international wickets. The landmark moment came during Australia’s first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium.
Starc reached the milestone in Sri Lanka’s first innings when he dismissed former captain Dimuth Karunaratne for seven. In the fifth over, following Australia’s mammoth first-innings declaration at 654/6, Starc bowled a delivery that bounced sharply and had fine pace. Karunaratne, attempting to punch the ball, edged it straight to Nathan McSweeney at gully.
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With this achievement, Starc now has 700 wickets in 287 international matches at an average of 25.78, including best figures of 6/28, 24 five-wicket hauls, and two ten-wicket hauls. He joins an elite group of Australian bowlers, trailing only Brett Lee (718 wickets in 322 matches), Glenn McGrath (948 wickets in 375 matches), and the late spin legend Shane Warne (999 wickets in 338 matches).
Starc also holds the distinction of being Australia’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test history, with 377 wickets in 95 matches at an average of 27.74. His best figures in a match are 6/48, and he has collected 15 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket hauls. The only Australians ahead of him in Test cricket are Nathan Lyon (540 wickets in 135 Tests), McGrath (563 wickets in 124 Tests), and Warne (708 wickets in 145 Tests).
In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Starc has cemented his legacy as one of Australia’s most lethal bowlers, ranking fourth in the nation’s all-time wicket-takers. He has 244 wickets in 127 ODIs at an average of 23.40, with a best bowling performance of 6/28. The only bowlers ahead of him in this format are Warne (293 wickets in 194 matches), as well as McGrath and Lee, who both have 380 wickets in 249 and 221 matches, respectively.
His impact in the T20I format is equally significant. Starc is Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker in T20 internationals and the team’s leading pacer in the format, with 79 wickets in 65 matches at an average of 23.81. His best figures are 4/20, and the only Australian bowler ahead of him is spinner Adam Zampa, who has taken 117 wickets in 95 matches.
The first Test in Galle also saw Australia dominate with the bat after winning the toss and opting to bat first. Usman Khawaja and Travis Head set the tone with a 92-run partnership, with Head scoring a quickfire 57 off 40 balls, including 10 fours and a six. Steve Smith, who reached the 10,000-run milestone in Test cricket, scored a century, guiding Australia to 330/2 by the end of Day 1.
On the second day, Australia continued their batting onslaught. Sri Lanka’s spin trio of Prabath Jayasuriya (3/193), Jeffrey Vandersay (3/182), and Nishan Peiris (0/189) struggled to contain the Australian batters. Smith was dismissed for 141 off 251 balls (12 fours, 2 sixes) after the team crossed the 400-run mark. Khawaja converted his century into a maiden Test double hundred, scoring 232 off 352 balls with 16 fours and a six.
Adding to Sri Lanka’s misery, Josh Inglis had a dream Test debut, smashing a 94-ball 102 with 10 fours and a six. His quick century helped push Australia past the 600-run mark. Contributions from Alex Carey (46*), Beau Webster (23), and Starc himself (19*) ensured Australia finished with a formidable total of 654/6 declared, marking their highest-ever score in Asia. This surpassed their previous best of 617 runs against Pakistan in Faisalabad in 1980.
In response, Sri Lanka’s batting line-up faltered early, finishing the day at 44/3. Kamindu Mendis (13*) and Dinesh Chandimal (9*) were at the crease as they faced an uphill task against Australia’s bowling attack.
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