Should Mitchell Starc Receive All the Recognition He Deserves This Week?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Mitchell Starc is set to play his 100th Test match, marking a significant milestone.
- Starc will be the second Australian fast bowler to reach this achievement.
- His commitment and sacrifices illustrate the challenges of maintaining peak performance.
- Starc has 395 Test wickets and is nearing 400.
- Teammates acknowledge his incredible work ethic and dedication.
Kingston, July 9 (NationPress) With Mitchell Starc poised to play in his 100th Test match against the West Indies in Jamaica, Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald believes the left-arm fast bowler deserves all the accolades he is set to receive this week.Starc will become only the second Australian fast bowler, following Glenn McGrath, and the 16th overall from Australia to reach the milestone of 100 Tests. This is a remarkable feat, considering the challenging pitches in Australia, which are hard and can be quite punishing. There’s a reason only two Australians have managed to achieve this.
“He’s made significant sacrifices, including missing some IPL seasons to ensure his body is fit to represent Australia. I’m incredibly proud of him. He should receive all the recognition he deserves this week,” McDonald stated as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Currently tallying 395 wickets, Starc is close to becoming the second Australian fast bowler to reach 400 Test wickets. Skipper Pat Cummins, who has been a long-time teammate of Starc, expressed immense respect for him, noting that he continues to bowl at high speeds in Tests.
“We’ll think of something special to celebrate this milestone. It’s a significant achievement; only a select few have played 100 Tests. He’s among the fastest bowlers, which is incredibly rare and challenging to maintain. I’m proud of him for still bowling at 145km/h towards the end of the recent Test against the West Indies,” Cummins remarked.
Fellow pacer Josh Hazlewood also praised Starc’s commitment to maintaining his performance, both mentally and physically.
“One aspect I admire is his work ethic. People only see him during games and overlook the hard work behind the scenes. Having been in similar shoes for a long time, I appreciate all the effort he puts in. The late-night physio sessions are a testament to his dedication. Playing 100 Tests is a phenomenal achievement, and I’m excited to be part of it,” he added.