Australian ace pacer Mitchell Starc, who scalped a 10-wicket match haul in the second Test against Bangladesh to steamroll the visitors with an innings defeat, has admitted that Australia were not at their best in the first Test in Darwin.
Speaking after levelling the two-match series 1-1, Starc asserted that Test cricket will always be the pinnacle format for him, adding that he likes to milk his body for all he could for the longest format of the game.
“Much better week. We knew we weren’t at our best, or what we expect of ourselves in Darwin. Bangladesh played really well, so nothing away from them there. But yeah, what we expect from ourselves this week is what we got, particularly with the ball on a wicket that aided us. So, one-all series, but a much better week for us,” Starc said.
Starc racked up six wickets in the first innings and followed it up with a four-wicket haul in the second as Australia dismissed Bangladesh for less than 100 in both innings. While the visitors got bundled out for 64 runs in the first innings, they got all out for 95 in the second.
“It’s still hanging together. Yeah, I thoroughly enjoy being part of this group. Test cricket, I’ve said it before, will always be the pinnacle for me. And later on when we get to sing the song, and he’s leading it, that’s one of the main reasons why we like to do it, love to do it. So, yeah, I’d like to milk my body for all I can for Test cricket,” he added.
It’s important to note that Starc’s 10-wicket match haul helped him to move past Dale Steyn’s wickets tally as he moved into the list of the top 10 wicket-takers in Test cricket, picking up 445 scalps from 107 Tests.
“I don’t know yet. I’m still playing. Nathan did remind me that I’ve just stepped on the first rung of the ladder and he’s still up there looking down on me. So, still have a way to go,” he concluded.
