2nd Test: Mitchell Starc rattles Bangladesh with six-fer, surpasses Steyn
What's the story
Mitchell Starc, Australia's veteran left-arm pacer, was simply unplayable on the first morning of the second Test against Bangladesh in Mackay. The veteran made the new cherry talk and took a five-wicket haul in his first 22 balls. Starc ended with six wickets as the Tigers, who won the opening Test, were folded for just 64. This spell also pushed Starc past South African legend Dale Steyn on the list of all-time Test wicket-takers. Here are further details.
Match impact
Starc's fiery spell in 1st session
Starc's onslaught began with the very first ball of the innings when he dismissed Shadman Islam.
He further sent back Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto for ducks.
Mominul Haque (9) also fell to him as the Tigers were once reeling at 12/5.
Starc returned to dismiss last man Shoriful Islam for 14 as Bangladesh posted a paltry 64/10.
While three wickets went to skipper Pat Cummins's credit (3/25), Josh Hazlewood (1/18) struck once.
Milestone achieved
Starc surpasses Steyn
Starc's 10 overs resulted in 12 runs, six wickets, and as many maidens.
With this performance, Starc entered the top 10 wicket-takers in Test cricket, surpassing Steyn (439) to claim the 10th spot, as per Cricinfo.
The left-arm pacer has now taken his Test wickets tally to 441 in 107 matches at an impressive average of 26.27, with best figures of 7/58.
The one in Mackay was his 19th Test five-wicket haul. He also owns 20 four-fers and three match hauls of 10 wickets.
Numbers
11th fifer in home Tests
Starc, who is the highest wicket-taker among left-arm bowlers in Test history, now has 274 wickets across 62 home Tests at 25.33.
He now has 11 five-wicket hauls in this regard.
Having trapped Islam on the very first ball of the game, Starc has completed 28 first-over wickets in Tests.
He is just behind England's James Anderson, whose 29 such scalps are the most in the format.
Meanwhile, Starc has now completed 629 First-Class wickets at 26-plus (5W: 27).