Starc eyes Kapil Dev's mark as Aussies focus on Bangladesh

Experienced pacer Mitchell Starc can further elevate his status among the all-time greats when Australia host Bangladesh in a two-match ICC World Test Championship series this month.

Starc currently has 433 Test scalps and the 36-year-old could easily surpass India great Kapil Dev (434) and South Africa quick Dale Steyn (439) and move inside the top 10 wicket-takers in Test cricket if on song against Bangladesh.

While Starc was thrilled to hear he could potentially overtake a pair of fast bowling greats during the upcoming series, the left-armer suggested individual records weren't his main focus as Australia look to claim a second World Test Championship mace at The Oval next year.

"It means I've played a bit," Starc told Australian Associated Press.

"It is cool and very humbling to be spoken about it with those guys.

"But that stuff doesn't mean a whole lot while you're still playing. You don't get too far ahead."

Australia currently sit on top of the World Test Championship standings and will be looking for a pair of positive results against Bangladesh prior to difficult upcoming fixtures with mace holders South Africa (three Tests away from home in October), inaugural World Test Championship winners New Zealand (four matches on home soil around the new year) and 2023 runners up India (a five-game battle for the Border–Gavaskar Trophy) all awaiting them across the next seven months.

And while Starc may be towards the backend of his career, the veteran has shown no signs of slowing down of late as evidenced by the fact he is the leading wicket-taker across this World Test Championship cycle with 46 scalps from eight Test match appearances and led both sides with 31 wickets during Australia's recent Ashes triumph over England.

It's been Starc's ability to trust his ageing body that has stood out in comparison to his fellow fast bowling teammates in reecnt times and one the pacer continues to work hard at to ensure he remains at the top of his game. 

"When you're 36 and you've been around for 16 years, you'd like to think you've improved or got better at something," Starc said.

"You're also around that long because you're able to develop and learn and improve.

"And you add in a few things like the wobble seam, consistency and other things. I have a pretty clear mindset on it all."

Australia Test squad for Bangladesh: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster

Series schedule:

First Test: August 13-17, Darwin
Second Test: August 22-26, Mackay