Mitchell Starc makes cricket history as Josh Hazlewood act shows Aussie frustrations

Mitchell Starc became just the fifth Australian to take 350 Test wickets on Thursday, but he and Josh Hazlewood let their frustrations show as the West Indies fought back in the second Test. Starc ripped through the Windies top order with three wickets in the first session, leaving the tourists reeling at 5-64.

In the process he claimed his 350th Test wicket, becoming just the fifth Australian and 27th bowler from all countries to achieve the feat. He is also just the third left-arm paceman to take 350 wickets, joining Wasim Akram (414) and Chaminda Vaas (355).

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The 33-year-old reached the milestone when he had Alick Athanaze caught behind by Alex Carey for his second wicket of the day. He had earlier picked up opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul for 21, caught at second slip by Steve Smith.

Starc finished with 4-68 on the opening day at the Gabba after removing Justin Greaves (six) and Kavem Hodge (71). He ended the day's play on 352 career wickets, putting him on the cusp of passing Dennis Lillee (355) to move into fourth all-time among Australian bowlers. Shane Warne took 708 for his career, while Glenn McGrath snared 563 and Nathan Lyon had 513 at stumps (and counting).

"He's not underrated, but he probably doesn't get the plaudits of some of the other fast bowlers around the world," Test great Mark Waugh said of Starc on Fox Cricket. "He's right up there. He's just a genuine wicket-taker, Mitchell Starc, in all formats."

Starc continued his mastery of pink-ball Test matches, with 65 wickets in 12 games at an average of just 18 at the end of Thursday's play. However he and Josh Hazlewood became visibly frustrated when the ball softened earlier than normal and batting became much easier for the Windies.

Hodge and Josh Da Silva managed to put on 149 for the seventh wicket, making 71 and 79 respectively. It marked the highest partnership ever against Australia in a day-night Test.

Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood let their frustrations show

Lyon finally managed to snare the wicket of Da Silva lbw, before Starc came back into the attack to get Hodge caught by Smith at slip once again. But bowlers Alzarri Joseph (32) and Kevin Sinclair (16 not out) managed to frustrate the Aussies even further with a handy partnership of 41, with Joseph landing some lusty blows against Starc and Hazlewood.

The Aussie bowlers let their frustrations show, with Starc doing some verbal sparring with Joseph, before Hazlewood gave him a spray when he finally dismissed him with what turned out to be the final ball of the day. After getting Joseph to nick another catch to Smith at slip, Hazlewood gave his opponent an angry send-off as he ran past him.

Cricket fans didn't take kindly to the actions of the Aussie bowlers on social media. "Hazlewood and Starc carry on like pork chops. Poor bowling and sportsmanship to finish a great first day," one person wrote.

Another added: "Hazlewood giving a mouthful to Alzarri after being smashed at a strike rate of 150. Classy." While a third commented: "Starc abusing the West Indies No.9 as he gets carted all around the ground. Highly embarrassing. Then Hazlewood gives Joseph a big send off."

Mitchell Starc not happy with softness of pink balls

The Windies went to stumps at 8-266, with Starc bemoaning the tendency for pink balls to go soft on abrasive pitches. "We know the ball goes soft at certain stages depending on the wicket," Starc said. "I think is pretty similar to the game where we played Pakistan (in 2016) where the pink ball went soft very early.

"There wasn't much in it for the bowlers. It feels like a similar wicket where it is too firm for the pink ball. I think it would be a fantastic red-ball wicket, but probably too firm for the pink ball."

with AAP

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