Starc Reaches 400 in a Blaze of Pace in His 100th Test
Mitchell Starc didn’t just play his 100th Test at Sabina Park; he tore the script apart and wrote a new one. The left-arm paceman bulldozed his way to 400 Test wickets with a fiery display against the West Indies, putting himself among Australia’s bowling legends. Only Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, and Nathan Lyon had crossed the 400-mark before him, and Starc became just the second Aussie quick to hit that milestone after McGrath.
It wasn’t just the numbers that made this match one for the ages. Starc’s opening over was pure theatre—he grabbed three wickets before the West Indies even had a chance to breathe. Watching him swing the new ball, pinning batsmen LBW with those searing inswingers, you could almost feel the pressure radiate from the pitch. And when he hit five wickets in the blink of an eye, he notched the fastest five-wicket haul in Test innings history. Only one of those scalps even needed a teammate’s help in the field. The rest? Just Starc and the stumps doing the talking.
No Room for Sentiment: Starc Stays Focused Amid Praise
Starc’s achievement brought plenty of attention, but the fast bowler wasn’t looking for the limelight. He shrugged off the pre-match fuss, telling reporters later that he just wanted to get on with the game rather than bask in milestones. While the cameras were zeroed in on him and Sabina Park played video tributes from family, ex-teammates, and even some folks from the AFL world, Starc remained businesslike. He’s never been one for stats, even if the numbers now scream ‘champion’ at anyone who’ll listen.
Those who’ve watched his journey know Starc didn’t always have this snarl. Early in his career, some doubted if he was tough enough for the Test grind—dismissing him as too gentle for the cut-and-thrust of the international game. But as years rolled on, Starc found an extra gear. He’s grown into that rare breed: a bowler who can threaten both front and back ends of a batting order, in any conditions, on any continent.
- 400 Test wickets in 100 Tests—fourth Aussie to the club
- Second fast bowler from Australia to reach the mark after McGrath
- Fastest five-wicket haul in Test innings history
- Triple-wicket opening over that suffocated West Indies’ hopes
The Sabina Park crowd witnessed a masterclass, but Starc’s focus remains locked on the future. For him, it’s still about rhythm, run-up, and one more wicket. That’s what makes 400 feel not like an ending, but just another beginning in a remarkable career.
