Mitchell Starc 'humbled' to close in on Dale Steyn and Kapil Dev in Tests

Australia's pace spearhead Mitchell Starc is within touching distance of moving past Kapil Dev and Dale Steyn on the all-time wicket-takers list in Test cricket. Starc, who has 433 Test dismissals, needs two more to surpass India's legendary allrounder and seven more to leave Steyn behind.

The two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting August 13 at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin, will be an ideal opportunity for the 36-year-old to make it happen. Starc called the prospect of going past the two legendary players "very humbling" but emphasised there was a series to be won and that held the utmost priority.

"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."

Starc has nearly spent 16 years in top-tier cricket since his international debut against India in an ODI on October 20, 2010. He said one couldn't have such longevity in the game without reinventing themselves.

"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."

Most Test wickets (Men's)

Meanwhile, Australia are at the top of the ICC WTC points table, having won seven out of their eight Tests and a solitary loss, which came at the hands of England in the Ashes at home. The runners-up of the previous edition have accumulated a points percentage of 87.50.

Bangladesh are fourth with four wins, a loss and a draw. They have accumulated a points percentage of 58.33.