In just his 50th Test, Starc became the 17th Australian player to reach the milestone when he had Sri Lanka's Suranga Lakmal caught behind near dinner in their pink ball clash in Brisbane on Thursday.

The speedster achieved the landmark at a fair clip.

He is the equal 10th fastest Australian to break the 200 barrier.

It was at the same rate as the likes of fellow Aussie Craig McDermott and quicker than Pakistan legend Wasim Akram (51).

Yet Starc, 28, would have been forgiven for thinking No.200 would never come.

He looked to have snared Lahiru Thirimanne lbw in the opening hour at the Gabba, only for a review to save the opener.

It was a cruel blow for the maligned Starc who had been sitting on No.199 since the Sydney Test earlier this month in a frustrating series against a victorious India.

Starc finally entered the 200 club - becoming only the second Australian left-hander behind Mitchell Johnson - when he dismissed Lakmal for seven.

And in his next over he snared Dilruwan Perera to finish with 2-41 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 144 in the final session.

Australian bowling coach David Saker admitted Starc was "not at his best" in the last two Tests against India but dipped his hat over the milestone.

"He is bowling balls in the right areas, his action is in a good place now - it's just his consistency is not there," he told Seven Network.

"He will always be a work in progress. But it was great to see (him get 200)."

Starc's wife, Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy, appeared to take a thinly veiled swipe at his many critics.

"Yesss. They can't take that away from you," she tweeted.

Australian Associated Press