Starcs in the pursuit of making history

Mitchell Starc, Australia's spearhead, is not the only member of his family performing herculean deeds on the sport's field. Amid a wretched Test series defeat in Sri Lanka, the left-armed quick has clearly been Australia's best performer claiming 22 wickets at an average of just over 13 thus far. It has been a stunning Test comeback for the 26-year-old who had been relegated to the sidelines for six months after injuring his ankle last November.

With Sri Lanka still to bat their second innings in the third Test, Starc has a distinct chance of overtaking former Sri Lankan quick Chaminda Vaas's record landmark of 26 wickets, the most scalps taken by a paceman in a Test series in Sri Lanka.

Amid his colossal performances, Starc has been keeping a close eye on the Olympics with his brother, Brandon Starc, part of Australia's athletics contingent in Rio.

Mitchell rose early before the third day's play (Monday) in Colombo to watch Brandon qualify for the final of the men's high jump after clearing 2.29 metres. "What a legend young cratsy... qualified for the Olympic final good boy!!! Very proud," Starc tweeted on Monday (August 15).

After play on day two, Mitchell spoke glowingly of his 22-year-old brother's achievements. "I'm pretty excited. I'm proud of the younger brother to represent his country at an Olympics," he said. "He sounds pretty excited, as you would be in your first Olympic Games. I'm very proud of him."

Mitchell dabbled in high jump in his youth but eventually stopped in his late teens. "I thought if I did any good at it I could get a couple of extra days off school and go to the next level," Mitchell told News Corp recently. "I wasn't any good after that. I stopped in Year 12.

"From my brother's perspective, the high jump at the Olympics on the world stage, hopefully winning a medal, that's as good as it gets," he added.

The Olympics men's high jump final will be staged on Wednesday morning, on the scheduled final day of the third Test in what shapes as a historical day for the Starc family.



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