Mitchell Starc equals Dale Steyn, leaving behind several legends in the elite list
Australia’s Mitchell Starc (AP/PTI) Mitchell Starc produced a devastating spell to claim his 20th five-wicket haul in Test cricket and help Australia stage a remarkable comeback against South Africa on the opening day of the decisive third Test at Newlands on Tuesday.The left-arm pacer returned figures of 6/72 as South Africa collapsed from 203/1 to 329 after appearing to be firmly in control of the contest. His latest haul also took his five-wicket haul in international cricket to 29, placing him alongside Dale Steyn as the format’s most prolific fast bowlers.Starc now has 20 five-wicket hauls in Tests and nine in ODIs. He moved to the top of the list of active fast bowlers with the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket, ahead of Kagiso Rabada, who has 17, and Jasprit Bumrah, who has 16.In the all-time list of fast bowlers with the most five-wicket hauls in international cricket, Starc is sixth behind Richard Hadlee (41), Glenn McGrath (36), Waqar Younis (35), James Anderson (34) and Wasim Akram (31).South Africa looked set for a commanding first innings total after openers Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman added 140 runs. Ackerman made 95 off 94 balls while Markram scored 78 as the hosts reached 203/1.But Starc unleashed a dramatic collapse, removing David Bedingham for 50 and Wiaan Mulder for a duck in quick succession. After South Africa recovered with a 95-run seventh-wicket partnership between Marco Jansen and Ryan Rickelton, Starc returned with the second new ball to dismantle the tail.
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Share an opinionHe dismissed Rickelton for 42 before bowling Jansen for 52. Starc then credited Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada for consecutive golden ducks to complete a stunning turnaround as South Africa lost four wickets in six balls.His figures of 6/72 were also his best against South Africa in Test cricket, bettering his previous high of 6/154 in Perth in 2012.The series remains level at 1-1, with the third Test deciding the winner.
Most five-wicket hauls in international cricket among fast bowlers
RankingPlayerTestODITTotal1Richard Hadlee365412Glenn McGrath297363Waqar Younis2213354James Anderson322345Wasim Akram256316Mitchell Starc209296Dale Steynly26327029Ian Bothros
Most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket among active fast bowlers
Ranking Player Five-wicket hauls Innings1Mitchell Starc202102Kagiso Rabada171363Jasprit Bumrah16994Josh Hazlewood151515Pat Cummins141416Kemar Roach11156