by Mitchell Starc becomes just the seventh Australian to take 300 Test wickets as the former top couturier critic tells critics to ‘eat humble pie’… and Pat Cummins says he deserves credit as one of greatest australian bowlers of all time
Brett Lee has told Mitchell Starc’s critics to ‘eat humble pie’ after the fast bowler became just the seventh Australian to take 300 Test wickets.
Starc castled South African Rassie Van der Dussen with a fierce yorker in her second game of the day on Sunday to reach the milestone and join an exclusive club.
Only Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Nathan Lyon, Dennis Lillee, Mitchell Johnson and Lee have won more Test wickets than Starc in Australian cricket history.
Mitchell Starc became just the seventh Australian bowler to claim 300 Test wickets
Starc won his first Test wicket against New Zealand in 2011 but only went 14 Tests over the next three years – still trapping 45 scalps at a respectable 36.22 – with Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle ahead him in pecking order.
The New South Welshman enjoyed much more success in ODIs and T20s, but his limited Test-level opportunities led some to question whether he could be effective in red-ball cricket.
But Lee believes Starc has now responded emphatically to his detractors.
He always had those attributes, he always had that ability to take wickets,” he told Fox Sports.
Starc casted South Africa’s Rassie Van der Dussen with a fierce yorker in his second set of the day
He joined an exclusive roster including Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Nathan Lyon, Dennis Lillee, Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee
Brett Lee told Starc critics to ‘eat humble pie’ after claiming his 300th scalp
“He was typecast for being a white ball thrower, which is definitely not correct.
“I think the reporters who criticized Mitchell Starc saying he can’t play red ball, they can probably eat a humble pie.”
Johnson and Lee are just 13 and 10 wickets respectively ahead of Starc, who could realistically beat them both in the final two Tests against South Africa.
And the former Aussie dressmaker backed the 32-year-old to become just the second Australian fast bowler since McGrath to claim 400 Test wickets.
With 450 Test wickets, Nathan Lyon (left) is the only current player ahead of Starc in the list
Pat Cummins (left) thinks Starc should be recognized as one of Australia’s greatest bowlers
“Hopefully he’s here for a long, long time. Hopefully he’ll get well past that 300 mark and into 400,” he said.
“There’s no reason he can’t top 355 if he plays a few more seasons.”
Australia’s Pat Cummins also backed Starc to move up the all-time ranks in the wicket-taking columns after the Australians secured a six-wicket win over South Africa in two days.
Starc finished with match figures of 5-67 at the Gabba and Cummins said his team-mate deserved to be recognized as one of Australia’s greatest bowlers of all time.
“You see the hard work behind the wickets and the performances. This puts him squarely in the top echelon of great Australian bowlers.
With a four-test run in India in February and the Ashes in England looming next year, Starc has plenty of incentive to keep going. There’s also the added bonus of a 50-year-old World Cup in India in October.
The Australians haven’t won in India for 18 years and last tasted victory in England in 2001 and the designer could play a major role in breaking the two streaks.
Starc are equally effective at home and away, with wickets at 26.18 in Australia and 27.63 abroad.
“To be a part of that would be really special,” he said.
“Wickets aside, we have the opportunity to win a series in India and then win a series in England with hopefully a Test championship in between.
“We have a bowling team and offense that I am fortunate enough to call my closest friends. To me, it’s as much a carrot as I need to be part of.
