Mitchell Starc moves past Aussie icon on list of all-time Test wicket takers
Australia's top 20 Test wicket-takers
Mitchell Starc moved to fourth on the prestigious list when he removed New Zealand's Geoff Phillips in Christchurch on March 8, 2024.
He moved past one of his heroes, Dennis Lillee, and continues to improve his career tally.
Starc has been maligned at times throughout his Test career, but the left-arm quick has assured himself of greatness.
He's unlikely to catch any of the three bowlers ahead of him, but fourth is a testament to his endurance and resilience.
And he has some harsh advice from former Australia coach Tim Nielsen.
"I was still learning what all those pains were and obviously the reports get around from physios to coaches and I sort of got told to harden the f--- up a little bit," Starc said. "Timmy Nielsen probably made me aware (of) that early doors. Obviously, there's plenty of times you need to be honest with the medical staff but other times you got to know when to push through things."
Scroll on to find out the top Test wicket takers in Australian cricket history.
20th - Alan Davidson
Tests: 44 from 1953-63
Wickets: 186 at 20.53
Best innings: 7-93
The metronomic left-arm quick burst onto the scene alongside Richie Benaud on the tour to South Africa in 1957-58, taking an astonishing 72 wickets and scoring four centuries.
His class is highlighted by his phenomenal average which any bowler in history would pay money to boast.
19th - Jeff Thomson
Tests: 51 from 1972-1985
Wickets: 200 at 28
Best innings: 6-46
Many judges lament the fact speed guns weren't used in Thommo's era, and put him among the fastest bowlers to ever play the game.
The long-haired larrikin formed a daunting partnership with Dennis Lillee in Australia's Test team.
18th - Stuart MacGill
Tests: 44 from 1998-2008
Wickets: 208 at 29.02
Best innings: 8-108
Thought to be unlucky to play in the same era as Shane Warne, given the latter kept MacGill out of the Test team for the most part.
In another time the leg-spinner may have played 100 Tests for Australia.
17th - Merv Hughes
Tests:53 from 1985-1994
Wickets: 212 at 28.38
Best innings: 8-87
The big mustache-clad larrikin made a name for himself against the West Indies in 1988-89 and later on the 1993 Ashes tour to England.
His favourite delivery was the bouncer, and he used it to intimidate opponents for almost a decade.
16th - Clarrie Grimmett
Tests: 37 from 1925-36
Wickets: 216 at 24.21
Best innings: 7-40
Grimmett played in a time when wrist spinners were plentiful, but he was one of the very best.
He was actually born in New Zealand but, thankfully, made his way across the Tasman to wear the baggy green for Australia.
15th - Peter Siddle
Tests: 67 from 2008-2019
Wickets: 221 at 30.66
Best innings: 6-54
The right-arm quick was as reliable as they come, but ultimately ran out of opportunities due to the likes of James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc.
Siddle's hat-trick at the Gabba - on his birthday no less - during the 2010-11 Ashes series will remain on the highlight reels for decades to come.
14th - Ray Lindwall
Tests: 61 from 1946-60
Wickets: 228 at 23.03
Best innings: 7-38
Lindwall remains one of the greatest fast bowlers to ever play Test cricket, and his average proves how classy he was.
He was Australia's new-ball bowler for a decade and was trundling in for the team even up to age 38, when his swing mastery was still bamboozling batters.
13th - Graham McKenzie
Tests: 60 from 1961-71
Wickets: 246 at 29.78
Best innings: 8-71
McKenzie was known for a fairly casual run-up but was deceptively fast, often catching batters off guard and hurrying them up.
He made his Ashes debut as a teenager in 1961, and had 100 Test wickets by the time he was 23.
Unfortunately a heavy workload took its toll and McKenzie retired from Tests before his 30th birthday, finishing two wickets behind then-record holder Richie Benaud.
12th - Richie Benaud
Tests: 63 from 1952-64
Wickets: 248 at 27.03
Best innings: 7-72
Benaud took a while to catch fire in Test cricket and is arguably more known for his captaincy than his bowling, despite being the wickets record holder for some time.
He was, however, an artful leg-spinner who took 71 wickets in India and Pakistan across only 12 matches.
Benaud later became a beloved commentator and an expert behind the microphone, and is honoured nowadays by "The Richies" - a large group of fans who dress as Benaud for the Sydney Test.
