Published: Jan 30, 2025, 05:55 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 30, 2025, 05:55 PM (IST)
Australia pacer Mitchell Starc became just the fourth bowler from his country to reach 700 wickets in international cricket during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. What made the wicket extra special for Starc was the fact that it came on the occasion of his 35th birthday.
Starc picked up the wicket of opener Dimuth Karunaratne during the second day of the Test against Sri Lanka to provide Australia with a fantastic start. This was Starc’s 377th wicket in the longest format and saw him reach 700-wicket mark in international cricket.
The Australia pacer also has 244 wickets under his name in ODIs and has got another 79 scalps under his name in the shortest format as well.
Starc has now become only the fourth bowler from his country to pick up 700 wickets or more. He is only behind Shane Warne (1001 wickets), Glenn McGrath (949 wickets) and Brett Lee (718 wickets).
Coming to the match, Australia declared on a humongous total of 654/6 thanks to a double-century from Usman Khawaja and twin tons from Steve Smith and Josh Inglis. In reply, Sri Lanka’s top-order faltered and ended up losing 3 quick wickets against the Australian bowlers.
Starc, Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann picked up a wicket each before rain stopped play with Sri Lanka struggling on 44/3.
