Starc's sizzling Sri Lanka timeline

He’s done it again.

Mitchell Starc has once again claimed a wicket in the opening over of the innings on the Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka to continue a remarkable individual run on the island nation.

Quick Single: Australia thump SL to claim ODI series

The tall left-armer has claimed a breakthrough in his first over in seven of the 12 innings to have been played, including the first-class tour match ahead of the opening Test.

In fact, it's taking Starc just 7.08 deliveries on average to make the first breakthrough, with a 16-ball wait the longest ‘drought’ he had to contend with.

Fast-bowling champion and Australia’s bowling mentor for the Sri Lanka tour Allan Donald believes Starc has “greatness written all over him” after the new spearhead claimed 24 wickets at an average of 15.16 – the most scalps by an Australian paceman in a three-Test campaign.

Here’s an innings-by-innings list of Starc’s opening breakthroughs for the duration of the tour.

Tour Match vs SL Board XI at P Sara Stadium

Poor Oshada Fernando was the first - and the second - man on the receiving end of Starc’s first-over brilliance this tour, as the speedster turned out for his first-class cricket return after undergoing surgery on his ankle and foot late last year.

First innings - over 0.3: O. Fernando lbw Starc 0 (3)

The home side won the toss and opted to bat, allowing Starc to get to work immediately in the sweltering Colombo heat.

Fernando’s resistance lasted just three balls on the opening morning, trapped in front by a trademark Starc yorker.

Second innings - over 0.6: O. Fernando c Voges b Starc 0 (6)

Things didn’t get much easier for Fernando in the second dig, with a sharp catch from Adam Voges at first slip on the final ball of the opening over to spark a monumental collapse and hand the tourists a thumping victory leading into the first Test.

Starc finished with match figures of 4-60 from his 16 overs to blow out the cobwebs ahead of his much-anticipated Test return.

First Test at Pallekele International Stadium

Australia’s pace ace was forced to wait until the first ball of his third over before he could get back in on the wicket-taking action in Test cricket, but still looked menacing in the first over of the series.

First innings - over 4.1: D Karunaratne lbw Starc 5 (12)

Charging in over the wicket to the left-handed Dimuth Karunaratne, Starc got one to tail back in nicely and crash into the opener’s pads.

A DRS referral couldn’t save him and Starc begun his hold over Karunaratne that would last throughout the series.

Second innings - over 2.2: K Perera lbw Starc 4 (5)

Sri Lanka walked out for their second innings facing an 86-run deficit and Starc continued his early assault to send Kusal Perera packing with his eighth delivery of the day.

The fast-bowling spearhead again targeted the batsman’s pads with a rapid delivery that was so thunderous it immediately produced a lengthy rain delay.

Starc finished the series opener with a return of 6-135 from his 30 overs.

Second Test at Galle International Stadium

Starc ramped things up a notch with a stunning individual display in the second Test, despite Australia crashing to another emphatic loss.

First innings - over 0.1: D Karunaratne c Burns b Starc 0 (1)

The contest couldn’t have started much better for Australia as Starc resumed his battle with Karunaratne after Angelo Mathews again won the toss and sent the visitors into the field.

The first delivery of the Test was far from Starc’s finest, but Karunaratne could only manage to flick the half volley straight to Joe Burns at mid-wicket.

Second innings - over 2.2: D Karunaratne c Marsh b Starc 7 (8)

By this stage, Starc was firmly in Karunaratne’s head with the opener nicking a wide one and was safely pouched by Mitch Marsh at gully.

Darren Lehmann said the team’s performance in that Test "wasn’t up to international standard", but Starc could hold his head up high after claiming the best-ever figures by an Australian on the island nation.

Third Test at the SSC Ground

While the third Test was reduced to a dead rubber in Colombo, Starc again produced his brilliant best to run through the Sri Lankan top order on the opening morning.

First innings - over 4.4: K Silva c Smith b Starc 0 (15)

The longest wait of the tour so far for Starc, luring Kaushal Silva into the drive and the rocket flew safely into the hands of captain Steve Smith at second slip.

The hosts were in all sorts at 5-26, but Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silve weathered the Starc storm as the big quick collected another five-wicket haul for his troubles.

Second innings - over 0.4: D Perera lbw Starc 8 (4)

After Kaushal was required to have six stitches in his hand after a fielding mishap, Sri Lanka sent out Dilruwan Perera as nightwatchman late on the third day.

Starc clearly didn’t enjoy the two boundaries that leaked from his first three balls, returning fire with an in-swinging beauty to which Dilruwan offered no shot.

It was absolutely plumb and Starc added another to finish with match-figures of 7-135 in 44.4 blistering overs.

First ODI at R. Premadasa Stadium

Over 0.4: K Perera b Starc 1 (2)

Starc continued his rampage in the 50-over format as Kusal played around a thunderbolt to leave his stumps in a state of despair.

On his way to 3-32 from his allotted 10 overs, Starc became the fastest player in history to reach 100 wickets in one-day international cricket.

Second ODI at R. Premadasa Stadium

Over 2.6: D Gunathilaka b Starc 2 (13)

More Starc carnage in Colombo with Danushka Gunathilaka’s woodwork obliterated with a lovely piece of fast bowling to finish the third over of the encounter.

The left-armer helped himself to three more wickets, but the Australians fell short in the run chase to leave the series locked at 1-1.

Third ODI at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium

Over 0.6: D Gunathilaka b Starc 5 (6)

Starc continued his remarkable record in the opening over of an innings with another ripper to sneak through Gunathilaka’s defence on Sunday night.

He added another scalp later in the afternoon to finish with 2-42 in Australia’s tense two-wicket victory.

Fourth ODI at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium

Over 0.4: A Fernando lbw Starc 0 (2)

It was always going to be a tough ask for an 18-year-old who had never even played a List-A match to walk out and face a fired-up Mitchell Starc with a series win - and the prospect of a well-deserved rest in the dead rubber - in his sights.

Avishka Fernando could only last two balls after Starc zeroed in on his pads, a decision so obvious the young batsman left at such a speed it was as if he was trying to cross the boundary rope before the replay popped up on the big screen.

Starc finished with the figures of 1-51 while leaking six boundaries in the first signs that the heavy workload throughout the tour may finally be getting to him.

With the series wrapped up, he should be able to enjoy a few days putting his feet up and relaxing before returning to create more early havoc in the game’s shortest format.