Australia’s pace bowler Mitchell Starc achieved a historic milestone by surpassing Wasim Akram as the leading left-arm wicket-taker in Test cricket. Starc’s six-wicket haul in the first day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane took his tally to 418 wickets, overtaking Akram’s 414.
Starc Honors Akram
Despite breaking the record, Starc humbly acknowledged Akram’s supremacy. “Wasim’s still a far better bowler than I am,” he said. Starc added that Akram remains the pinnacle of left-arm bowlers and one of the greatest in cricket history. He emphasized his focus on continuing to perform rather than dwelling on comparisons.
Historic Performance at the Gabba
Starc led the Australian attack at the Gabba in the absence of strike partners Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and spinner Nathan Lyon. His 35-year-old experience was evident as he consistently troubled England’s batsmen throughout the session. Starc reached the milestone by dismissing England’s Harry Brook, marking his 415th Test wicket and third of the innings.
Career Highlights
Starc debuted at the Gabba 14 years ago and has been a constant threat in international cricket. Earlier in the series, he recorded a career-best 7-58 in the opening Ashes Test at Perth. With 16 wickets in this series so far, he is currently 15th on the all-time Test wicket-takers list, moving past Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh’s 417 wickets.
Looking Ahead
Starc now targets surpassing South Africa’s Shaun Pollock (421 wickets) and New Zealand’s Richard Hadlee (431 wickets). He also needs only 16 more wickets to overtake Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath (433 wickets), the most prolific left-arm bowler in Test cricket history.
Starc’s record-breaking performance demonstrates his enduring skill and highlights Australia’s bowling strength, even without their usual strike partners. His respectful acknowledgment of Akram reinforces the legacy of cricket’s all-time greats.
