Starc beats McGrath to 450 Test wickets

Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc became the fastest bowler by balls faced to claim 450 Test wickets, surpassing compatriot Glenn McGrath during the third day of the series Test against South Africa in Gqeberha.

The 36-year-old reached the milestone by dismissing Wiaan Mulder, taking his tally to 450 wickets in his 109th Test after 20,577 deliveries.

McGrath needed 23,474 balls to reach the same mark, leaving Starc well ahead of the Australian great in terms of deliveries bowled. Starc took 14 years and 321 days to achieve the feat.

However, Starc was slower than McGrath to reach 400 Test wickets. McGrath achieved the milestone in eight years and 341 days, while Starc needed 100 Tests and 13 years and 223 days.

Despite Starc’s personal milestone, the Kangaroos endured a batting collapse, folding for just 99 in their first innings. 

South African pacer Marco Jansen ripped through the visitors with five wickets for 33 runs, leaving Australia fighting to avoid an innings defeat.