Mitchell Starc is just one Test away from joining an elite list of Australian fast bowlers.
When he steps onto the field at Sabina Park in Kingston for the third and final Test against West Indies starting Saturday (July 13), it will be his 100th Test appearance, a milestone only Glenn McGrath has previously reached among Aussie pacers.
Follow The Sporting News India on WhatsApp
But as the attention builds, the Aussie pacer reflects on the tough choices he made over the years, especially his decision to skip the Indian Premier League.
Let's see what Starc had to say.
'I don’t regret': Starc on missing franchise cricket to prioritize Test Cricket
While most cricketers run towards franchise cricket, Starc walked away from millions to keep himself fresh for Test matches. And now, standing just one step away from joining a legendary group of Australian pacers.
“The years that I did miss franchise cricket or didn’t play anything, I don’t regret that at all,” Starc said.
Starc explained that his decision to skip the IPL was because of doing everything possible to represent Australia in Test cricket. He said focusing on the long format helped him stay fit and gave him more time with his wife, Alyssa Healy.
“I wouldn’t change it,” Starc said. “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," he said.
MORE: Fans stunned by KL Rahul’s Test average
“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," he added.
According to him, growing up, the dream was always about playing for Australia in whites.
“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.”
Only Glenn McGrath has reached the 100-Test mark as an Aussie pacer before him, making Starc’s achievement even more special.
At 35, and with nearly 400 wickets to his name, Starc knows that fast bowling takes a toll, but he’s not thinking about retirement just yet.