Most wickets for Australia, full list: Mitchell Starc reaches 700 with top three in sight

Starc got to the landmark in the evening session on day two of the first Test of the series, dismissing Dimuth Karunaratne in his third over of the innings. Karunaratne outside edged a short ball from Starc towards gully, Nathan McSweeney managing to hold onto the catch on the second attempt.That wicket gave Starc his 700th dismissal for Australia, and his 377th in Test cricket. He averages 27.67 in the format.

Starc has become only the third Australia quick to take 700 wickets across formats, behind Glenn McGrath (948) and Brett Lee (718). Shane Warne leads the overall list, picking up 999 scalps in 338 games across formats for Australia. He took two more while representing ICC World XI, which took his wickets tally over 1,000. Starc also dismissed Kamindu Mendis in the morning session of day three, and is now 18 wickets away from entering the top three wicket-takers for Australia of all-time.

The left-armer has played 287 international games for his 700th wicket, the match also holding extra significance as he plays a Test at the same time as his wife Alyssa Healy for the first time, who is, coincidentally, also playing her 287th match for Australia.

Starc has also picked up 244 ODI and 79 T20I wickets, averaging 23.40 and 23.81, respectively.

Overall, only 18 bowlers have taken 700 or more wickets in international cricket, with the list being led by Muttiah Muralidaran, who has taken 1,347 wickets in 495 games.

Most wickets by an Australian in international cricket