Starc Becomes Fourth Australian to Claim 400 Test Wickets After West Indies Destruction
Mitchell Starc delivered one of the most unforgettable spells in Test history during his 100th match, producing career-best figures of 6 for 9 to dismantle the West Indies and cross the coveted milestone of 400 Test wickets. His performance not only sealed a dominant win for Australia in the third Test but also earned him the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards, further cementing his place among the all-time greats.
The left-arm seamer needed just 15 balls to claim a five-wicket haul, the fastest in Test history, breaking a 79-year-old record previously held by Ernie Toshack. Starc’s spell left the West Indies reeling at 7 for 5 by the end of his fifth over while chasing a target of 204. He had already picked up three wickets for zero in his first over, and by the time Jayden Seales was clean bowled for his sixth scalp, the West Indies innings had collapsed in just 14.3 overs.
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Starc’s historic 400th Test wicket came amidst this carnage, making him the fourth Australian to achieve the feat. He now joins the elite company of Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563), and Nathan Lyon (527). Across all formats, Starc has also overtaken Brett Lee’s career tally of 718 wickets, reaching 725 international scalps.
His latest display of pace and precision was a reminder of his sustained excellence over time. Starc’s career, which can be divided into two distinct phases—before and after turning 30—shows his remarkable ability to evolve and stay lethal. In his pre-30 years, Starc played 57 Tests and claimed 244 wickets with a strike rate of 48.1, an economy of 3.36, and best figures of 6 for 50. He had 13 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket match hauls during this period.
Since turning 30, Starc has played 43 Tests and picked up 158 wickets, the fourth-highest tally in the world in that time. His average of 27.08 and improved strike rate of 46.4 show how he’s remained one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket. His economy has risen slightly to 3.49, but his ability to strike under pressure has been undiminished, highlighted by three five-wicket hauls in this phase, including his sensational 6 for 9.
The third Test was a showcase of Australian fast bowling dominance. After Starc’s initial destruction, Scott Boland joined the onslaught with figures of 3 for 2, taking three wickets in as many balls and further crushing the West Indies lineup. Six West Indian batters, including Shamar Joseph and Jomel Warrican, were dismissed without scoring, underlining the magnitude of the collapse.
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