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Australian fast-bowling superstar Mitchell Starc has rewritten cricket history, becoming the most successful left-arm pace bowler in Test cricket.
Mitchell Starc surpasses Wasim Akram’s record feat
The milestone came during the second Ashes 2025-26 Test at the Gabba, where Starc claimed his 415th Test wicket, surpassing Pakistan legend Wasim Akram’s iconic tally of 414.
Starc sealed the record on day one of the day-night Test when he dismissed Harry Brook with a full, wide delivery that drew an edge to Steve Smith at second slip. The wicket sparked loud celebrations in Brisbane as Starc etched his name atop a list once dominated by one of the greatest bowlers the sport has seen.
Beginning the match needing three wickets to pass Akram, Starc wasted no time. He struck early under lights, removing England openers Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope with trademark late swing and pace. The breakthrough wicket of Brook carried added significance, not only breaking Akram’s record but also highlighting Starc’s continued dominance in pink-ball Tests.
Starc achieved the feat in 102 Tests, compared to Akram’s 104, emphasising his exceptional strike rate and longevity. The record came just a week after Starc claimed a 10-wicket haul in the Ashes opener in Perth, underlining the form he has carried into the series.
With 415 wickets at an average of around 26.5, Starc is now firmly placed among cricket’s elite fast bowlers. His record includes:
- 17 five-wicket hauls
- 3 ten-wicket match hauls
Top left-arm pacers in the history of Test cricket
- Mitchell Starc: 415* wickets
- Wasim Akram: 414 wickets
- Chaminda Vaas: 355 wickets
- Trent Boult: 317 wickets
- Zaheer Khan: 313 wickets
Starc is also the most prolific bowler in day-night Tests, with over 80 wickets at an average in the high teens. His remarkable ability to strike early is highlighted by his record of 26 wickets taken in the first over of a Test innings, making him one of the sport’s most explosive opening bowlers.
Wasim Akram’s gold standard surpassed after two decades
Wasim Akram’s benchmark, set between 1985 and 2002, remained untouched for 23 years and was long considered the ultimate measure for left-arm pace excellence. His combination of swing, control and durability made him a global icon.
But Starc – who debuted at the Gabba in 2011, the same venue where he broke the record – has forged his own legacy with raw velocity, steep bounce and unmatched pink-ball mastery.
Also WATCH: Mitchell Starc removes Ben Duckett for a golden duck on Day 1 of pink-ball Test | Ashes 2025-26
Starc’s growing legacy in Australian fast-bowling history
Now 36, Starc sits in the mid-teens on the all-time Test wicket-takers list and continues to climb rapidly. With his historic milestone achieved, discussions have strengthened around his place among the finest Australian fast bowlers in the post-McGrath era.
As the Ashes series continues, Starc’s record-breaking achievement not only elevates his own legacy but also cements his status as one of cricket’s most influential modern pacers.
