Veteran Australia left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc stands on the brink of a historic milestone, needing just a handful of wickets to surpass fast-bowling greats Kapil Dev and Dale Steyn on the all-time men's Test wicket-takers list. The opportunity arrives with Australia's two-match World Test Championship (WTC) series against Bangladesh, beginning 13 August in Darwin.

Where Starc Stands

Starc, 36, currently holds 433 Test wickets. Surpassing former India captain Kapil Dev's tally of 434 would require just two more scalps, while eclipsing South African legend Dale Steyn's mark of 439 would push Starc into the top 10 wicket-takers in men's Test cricket history — an elite club that spans generations of the game.

Starc Keeps Focus on the Team

Despite the significance of the impending record, Starc was measured in his response when asked about the milestone. 'It means I've played a bit. It is cool and very humbling to be spoken about with those guys. But that stuff doesn't mean a whole lot while you're still playing. You don't get too far ahead,' he said. His emphasis remained squarely on Australia's objective: accumulating WTC points ahead of next year's final at The Oval in London.

Stellar WTC Cycle Form

Starc has been in commanding form throughout the current WTC cycle, leading all bowlers with 46 wickets from just eight Tests. A standout contribution was his 31-wicket haul during Australia's Ashes triumph over England, cementing his status as the attack's premier threat. His consistency at 36 is a testament to sustained physical conditioning and technical refinement over a 16-year international career.

The Secret to Longevity

Starc attributed his extended relevance at the highest level to deliberate evolution rather than raw talent alone. 'When you're 36 and you've been around for 16 years, you'd like to think you've improved or got better at something. You're also around that long because you're able to develop and learn and improve. And you add in a few things like the wobble seam, consistency and other things. I have a pretty clear mindset on it all,' he explained. The wobble seam, in particular, has become a signature weapon in his later-career arsenal, adding movement and unpredictability to his already potent left-arm angle.

What Comes Next for Australia

The Bangladesh series marks the opening leg of a demanding seven-month Test schedule for Australia, who currently lead the WTC standings. After Darwin, they face away series against South Africa, followed by home assignments against New Zealand and India. With the WTC final berth at stake, every point from this cycle carries weight — making Starc's fitness and form central to Australia's ambitions well beyond individual records.