Mitchell Starc Sets New Record as Leading Left-Arm Wicket-Taker in Test Cricket

In a remarkable achievement, Mitchell Starc has surpassed Wasim Akram to become the left-arm bowler with the most wickets in Test cricket. This milestone was reached during the pink-ball Test against England at the Gabba, where Starc's impressive performance helped him secure three wickets on Day 1. With a total of 415 Test wickets, Starc's dominance in the ongoing Ashes series highlights his status as Australia's premier fast bowler. As the match progresses, England's Joe Root and Harry Brook have contributed to their team's score, but Starc remains a key figure in the contest.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 4, 2025, 15:36 IST

Starc Achieves Historic Milestone

Mitchell Starc, the experienced Australian fast bowler, has etched his name in cricket history by surpassing the legendary Wasim Akram to become the left-arm bowler with the highest number of wickets in Test cricket. This remarkable achievement occurred during the second session of the first day of the pink-ball Test against England at the Gabba in Brisbane, where he dismissed Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope.

Starc's Performance on Day 1

In a stellar display, Starc claimed three wickets across the first two sessions of the match, securing two in the opening session and one in the second. This performance propelled him to the top of the all-time list for left-arm pacers, overtaking Akram.

Breaking Akram's Record

With this latest achievement, Starc now boasts a total of 415 Test wickets from 102 matches, maintaining an impressive average of 26.53, which includes 17 five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls. In contrast, Akram had 414 wickets from 104 matches with a lower average of 23.62. Starc's record-breaking feat comes as he kicks off the Ashes series with a strong performance.

Starc's Dominance in the Ashes

In the ongoing Ashes series, Starc has been a key player, taking seven wickets in England's first innings and adding three more in the second innings of the series opener, showcasing his vital role in Australia's commanding performance in Perth. His recent outing at the Gabba follows a Player of the Match-winning performance where he achieved a ten-wicket haul.

Current Match Status

As for the match situation, England's prominent batsman Joe Root scored a fifty, and Harry Brook contributed significantly, leading England to a score of 196/4 by the end of the second session in the second Test against Australia. Root celebrated his 67th Test fifty, adding 20 runs alongside England's captain Ben Stokes. For Australia, Starc once again proved his mettle by taking three of the four wickets that fell.

Match Summary

Brief Scores: England 196/4 (Zak Crawley 76, Joe Root 68*, Mitchell Starc 3/36) vs Australia.