Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc took his 300th Test wicket by removing South Africa batter Rassie van der Dussen on Day 2 of the first Test at the Gabba with a trademark inswinger which demolished the stumps.
In the process, Starc became the seventh Australian bowler to claim 300 Test wickets. He needs ten more scalps to overtake Brett Lee and 14 to surpass fellow left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson.
During the fifth delivery of the fourth over in South Africa’s second innings, Starc produced a magnificent ball which swung back into van der Dussen, zipping through a huge gap between bat and pad. Van der Dussen, who scored only five runs in the first innings, got out for a duck in the second.
Here’s the video of Starc castling Van der Dussen:
BOWLLLLLLLLLED!
Mitch Starc grabs wicket No.300 with something out of this world! #PlayOfTheDay #AUSvSA | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/UoFrzcyziO
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 18, 2022
“It was nice to pull a nice ball out,” Starc was quoted as saying to the broadcasters. “I said to Patty [Cummins] I felt like I could get him that way, the way he’s set up. I’ll definitely take that as a nice ball to bring it up with. It’s something to be proud of. It’s something I will reflect on later. Just really pleased to have a good Test match win.”
Starc reached the landmark at the same venue where he made his Test debut against New Zealand in 2011 and sent back Brendon McCullum as his first wicket.
“I’m not sure I’d get one wicket let alone 300,” Starc had said in the lead-up to the Brisbane Test. “It’s been an interesting but very enjoyable journey. Hopefully there’s a bit more left in it.”
Australia beat South Africa by six wickets
Australia completed a six-wicket victory within two days in the opening Test of the three-match series as the Proteas crumbled on a green top wicket in both innings.
Skittled for 152 on Day 1, South Africa were bundled out on 99 shortly after the tea break on day two. The hosts lost four wickets while chasing the 34-run target and took a crucial 1-0 lead in the series.