Australian Pacer Surpasses Rangana Herath With 434 Test Wickets
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has created Test cricket history by becoming the highest wicket-taking left-arm bowler in the format.
Starc achieved the landmark during Australia’s first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin.
The 36-year-old reached the milestone when he dismissed Bangladesh batter Shadman Islam.
That wicket took Starc’s Test tally to 434, moving him past former Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath.
Herath ended his distinguished Test career with 433 wickets.
Starc now stands alone at the top of the list of left-arm bowlers with the most wickets in Test cricket.
The achievement adds another major record to an international career that has already delivered several historic moments.
Starc Moves Ahead of Herath and Wasim Akram
Pakistan great Wasim Akram is third on the list of leading left-arm Test wicket-takers.
Akram retired with 414 wickets from 104 Test matches.
For years, Akram remained the benchmark for left-arm fast bowling.
Herath later moved ahead of him with his success as a left-arm spinner for Sri Lanka.
Starc has now surpassed both legends and become the most prolific left-arm wicket-taker in Test history.
His achievement is particularly significant because he has maintained his success as a frontline fast bowler across a long international career.
Starc has been one of Australia’s most important bowlers for more than a decade.
His pace, swing and ability to take wickets with the new and old ball have made him a constant threat to opposition batting line-ups.
Starc’s Career Decorated With Major ICC Titles
Starc made his international debut for Australia in October 2010.
Since then, he has developed into one of the leading fast bowlers of his generation.
He has represented Australia across Test, ODI and T20 international cricket.
Starc has also enjoyed major success in global tournaments.
He is among the select group of players to have won all three major ICC men’s titles.
The Australian pacer has been part of teams that lifted the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup and World Test Championship.
He helped Australia win the 2015 ODI World Cup on home soil and was again part of the championship-winning squad in 2023.
Starc has also produced outstanding numbers in one-day cricket.
He has taken 247 wickets in 130 ODI matches at an average of 23.58.
His ability to deliver in major tournaments has strengthened his reputation as one of Australia’s greatest modern fast bowlers.
The latest Test record further enhances Starc’s legacy.
By moving past Herath and Akram, he has now secured a unique place in cricket history as the most successful left-arm bowler in Test cricket.
