Mitchell Starc breaks 23-year-old record of Saqlain Mushtaq

TOWNSVILLE: There was something to cheer for Australia amid the gloom of losing the third and final One-day International against Zimbabwe here on Saturday, with pace bowler Mitchell Starc claiming his 200th ODI wicket to break a 23-year-old record, and become the fastest ever to reach the milestone.

Starc, 32, has become the quickest-ever bowler to 200 ODI wickets, eclipsing the 23-year-old record set by Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.

Playing in his 102nd ODI here, Starc dismissed tail-ender Ryan Burl when the batter spooned a catch to Cameron Green at mid-off. Starc achieved the feat in two fewer matches than the former Pakistani cricketer (104), according to cricket.com.au.

Starc has reached a double-century of wicket in fewer matches than the likes of Brett Lee (112 ODIs), the late Shane Warne (125), Mitchell Johnson (129) and Glenn McGrath (133).

Starc was also the quickest ever to 100 ODI wickets (after 52 matches) in 2016, though Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan had improved upon that mark in 2018, reaching the milestone in eight fewer games. IANS

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