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