Mitchell Starc’s sensational 10-wicket haul against Bangladesh has added another landmark to an already remarkable Test career, with the Australia quick now holding the most Player of the Series awards among active pacers.Starc has won the award four times in Test cricket, moving clear of Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, Kemar Roach and Matt Henry, who have three each.Starc’s four series awards have come across three countries, with two in Australia and one each in England and the West Indies.The latest recognition follows a dominant display in the second Test at Mackay, where Starc claimed 10-51 to power Australia to an innings and 51-run victory over Bangladesh. The result levelled the two-match series 1-1 after Australia suffered a surprise defeat in Darwin.Starc was virtually unplayable on the opening day, taking 6-12 as Bangladesh collapsed for 64. He added four more wickets in the second innings as the visitors were dismissed for 95, completing his fourth 10-wicket match haul in Tests.The performance also saw the 37-year-old move past South African pace great Dale Steyn into 10th place on the all-time Test wicket-takers’ list with 445 wickets.Among other active pacers, Bumrah has three Player of the Series awards, earned in England, South Africa and Australia. Cummins has collected all three in Australia, while Rabada’s three have come in South Africa, England and Bangladesh.Roach has won three, two in the West Indies and one in Sri Lanka, while New Zealand’s Matt Henry has also claimed three, two at home and one in Zimbabwe.Starc’s latest achievement further underlines his longevity and impact as Australia begin a demanding 12-month schedule featuring 20 Tests, including tours of South Africa, India and England.
