Mitchell Starc one wicket shy of Kapil Dev as Australia head to Bangladesh Tests

Mitchell Starc needs one wicket to equal Kapil Dev’s 434 Test wickets as Australia prepare to start a two-Test series against Bangladesh in Darwin on August 13, and the left-arm fast bowler says he is not getting carried away. "It means I've played a bit," Starc told Australian Associated Press, adding: "It's 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."

Starc arrives at the series on 433 wickets from 105 Tests and will draw level with Kapil Dev if he takes one more scalp; seven wickets across the two matches would see him pass Dale Steyn, who finished with 439 Test scalps. Since making his Test debut in 2011, the left-armer has been noted for his pace, late swing and yorkers, and among Australian bowlers only Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563) and Nathan Lyon (567) have more Test wickets than Starc.

The 36-year-old has been Australia’s strike weapon across formats for more than a decade and enters the Bangladesh series in form: he is the leading wicket-taker in the current World Test Championship cycle with 46 wickets from eight Tests. That run of results underpins his selection and status in the pace attack as Australia begin a new cycle in the competition.

Starc attributes his sustained performance to continuous adaptation rather than relying solely on raw speed. "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," he said, pointing to development and learning over time as reasons for his longevity.

He also pointed to technical additions and a clear approach in his preparation. "And you add in a few things like the wobble seam, consistency and other things. I have a pretty clear mindset on it all," Starc said, describing adjustments that have complemented his natural attributes.

After a brief IPL stint earlier this year, Starc skipped the latter part of the franchise season and enters the Bangladesh tour rested, with the Kapil Dev milestone described as within touching distance. The prospect of matching Kapil Dev was noted in reports as another significant landmark in Starc’s career.

Australia begin the two-Test series against Bangladesh in Darwin on August 13, and Starc has made clear his priority is team performance and helping Australia start the new World Test Championship cycle on the right note.