Mitchell Starc surpasses Mitchell Johnson to become Australia’s fourth-highest ODI wicket-taker

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc made history during the third ODI against England at Durham, surpassing the legendary Mitchell Johnson to become Australia’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in One Day Internationals (ODIs).

Starc achieved the milestone by dismissing England openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett, although Australia eventually lost the match, and Starc finished with figures of 2/63 from eight overs.

Starc, who debuted in ODIs in 2010, now boasts 241 wickets in 123 matches at an impressive average of 22.95, with his best bowling figures being 6/28. He has also collected 12 four-wicket hauls and nine five-wicket hauls in his ODI career. Johnson, who played from 2005 to 2015, took 239 wickets in 153 matches at an average of 25.26, with a best of 6/31.

The record for most ODI wickets by an Australian still belongs to Glenn McGrath, who took 380 wickets in 249 matches at an average of 21.98. Brett Lee (380 wickets in 221 matches) and the late Shane Warne (291 wickets in 193 matches) follow McGrath on the list of Australia’s greatest ODI bowlers.

In addition to his achievement within Australian cricket, Starc also moved up in the rankings of left-arm pacers, becoming the fourth-highest wicket-taker in this category. He now trails only Zaheer Khan of India (282 wickets), Chaminda Vaas of Sri Lanka (400 wickets), and Pakistan’s Wasim Akram (502 wickets).

Despite Starc’s efforts, Australia was unable to defend a target of 305 set earlier in the match. England, led by Harry Brook’s century (113 in 120 balls) and a rapid 33* from Liam Livingstone, successfully chased the revised target after rain intervened. Australia’s Cameron Green (2/45) and Starc were among the wicket-takers, but England’s momentum was unstoppable as they kept the five-match series alive at 2-1.

Australia’s batting effort was anchored by Steve Smith (60), Alex Carey (77*), and Aaron Hardie (44), setting a competitive 304/7. However, England's bowlers, led by Jofra Archer (2/67), kept them in check during the chase.

With this defeat, Australia’s winning streak in ODIs came to an end, preventing them from matching the second-best winning streak in the format. They also missed a chance to displace India from the top spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings.