'Makes me feel old': Mitchell Starc opens up on turning down millions ahead of 100th Test
More than two decades since Glenn McGrath graced a pitch, Mitchell Starc will become just the second Australian fast bowler to reach 100 Tests when he steps out against the West Indies on Sunday morning.
Starc has never really been comfortable talking about himself, and despite the occasion, he barely let himself indulge as he spoke to media on Friday afternoon (AEST).
When asked the token 'how does it feel' question, he played it with a straight bat.
READ MORE: Gout Gout wins in Europe; Hull, Bol shatter records
READ MORE: Hynes receives confidence boost to end club's troubling streak
READ MORE: Depleted Djokovic humbled in Wimbledon hammering
"Same as every other week – a chance to win another Test match away from home, which is never easy to do," he said.
"I guess it makes me feel old being 99 games under the belt."
He also needs only another five wickets to reach 400 Test scalps. It's appropriate then that his 100th come in a pink ball Test.
Australia's third Test against the West Indies will be Mitchell Starc's 100th match. AP
Starc has 74 wickets at 18.14 in pink ball matches. The next best of any player is Nathan Lyon with 43.
All this means there's a lot of focus on the Aussie left-armer.
"I don't like it – just get on with the cricket ... I don't know why we're talking about it so much," he said.
"It's quite funny my 100th is a pink ball game. There might be a few things going on at night with the pink Dukes ball.
"Usman (Khawaja) is the only one who's played with a pink Duke, and it was an English Duke. He said the county game went for a day and a half.
"It looks a pretty good wicket and it's exciting to play a day-night Test away from home."
A crucial part of Starc's longevity as a fast bowler is his decision to forgo the riches of franchise cricket and the IPL to focus on his red-ball fitness and give his body the time it needs to recover.
He said he had no regrets.
"The years that I did miss franchise cricket or didn't play anything, I don't regret that at all," Starc said.
"I wouldn't change it. Test cricket was the hardest format to feel like I was either good enough for, or capable of doing. To get that opportunity, I wasn't going to let that pass up.
"To get my body in as good a spot as I could for Australia to play 99 games, or whatever it may be, spend some time at home and with (wife) Alyssa (Healy), that's the reason why I did those things.
"Growing up, it was always about wanting to pull on the baggy green. I didn't think I'd play one game, but to have 99 chances to do that has been a real privilege."
The third Test in Kingston will begin at 4.30am on Sunday (AEST).
