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Mitchell Starc Makes History: Surpasses Wasim Akram as Top Left-Arm Bowler

Mitchell Starc has just rewritten the cricket history books. By taking his 415th Test wicket, he's officially passed the legendary Wasim Akram. Akram himself was quick to congratulate Starc on his incredible achievement. This milestone solidifies Starc's place among the all-time great fast bowlers.

Key Points: Mitchell Starc Breaks Wasim Akram's Test Wicket Record

  • Starc broke the record by dismissing Harry Brook for his 415th Test wicket
  • The milestone came in his 102nd Test, two matches faster than Akram's 104
  • He is one of only three bowlers with 350+ Test wickets since 2015
  • Starc also reached 100 Ashes wickets in the previous Perth Test
3 min read

Starc pips Wasim Akram to become leading left-arm bowler in Test cricket history

Mitchell Starc takes his 415th Test wicket, surpassing Wasim Akram's record to become the most prolific left-arm bowler in cricket history.

"Super Starc! Proud of you, mate. Your incredible hard work sets you apart. - Wasim Akram"

Brisbane, Dec 4

Australia's senior pacer Mitchell Starc broke the record for the most wickets taken by a left-arm fast bowler in Test cricket history on Day 1 of the second Ashes Test at Brisbane on Thursday.

The 35-year-old dismissed Harry Brook for 31, caught by Steve Smith at second slip, to claim his 415th Test wicket and go past Wasim Akram's tally of 414 victims after striking with the second ball of his new spell.

Interestingly, Starc made his Test debut at the same venue against New Zealand in 2011 and is one of only three bowlers, alongside Nathan Lyon and Ravichandran Ashwin, to have taken at least 350 Test wickets since January 2015.

The Pakistani great was quick to hail the Aussie pacer for breaking his record. "Super Starc! Proud of you, mate. Your incredible hard work sets you apart, and it was only a matter of time before you crossed my tally of wickets. I am pleased to give this to you! Go well, and keep soaring to new heights in your stellar career," Akram posted on X.

Akram played 104 Tests for his 414 wickets, with Starc reaching the milestone in his 102nd. In the series opener in Perth, the left-arm quick produced a sensational spell of 7-58 and became just the 21st bowler and the 13th Australian to reach 100 Ashes wickets. In the current squads of both teams, only Nathan Lyon (110) and Starc are the two bowlers to hold 100 or more wickets in the Ashes.

Starc is now 16th on the all-time wicket-taker list and could move above both India's Harbhajan Singh (417) and South Africa's Shaun Pollock (421) in the ongoing pink-ball Test. Moreover, he could match or move past Sir Richard Hadlee's tally of 431 Test wickets in the series. He hit the milestone in only 23 Tests.

Speaking about the match, Starc gave Australia a dream start under the pink ball Test, reducing England to 5/2 within three overs. He first removed Ben Duckett for duck on the last of the first over before dismissing Ollie Pope for nil in his next over. '

Then, Zak Crawley and Joe Root dug England out of trouble to reach tea at 98/2. The duo stitched a 117-run stand off 152 balls for the third wicket, before the former fell to Michael Neser.

Then Harry Brook and Root steadied the ship with a 54-run stand for the fourth wicket before Starc removed Brook to become the most prolific left-arm bowler in Test cricket history with his 415th scalp.

Skipper Ben Stokes (17) and Jamie Smith (0) followed soon after as England reached 235/6 at the time of filing this report, with Root standing strong at 88 and Will Jacks at 17.

bc/bsk/

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
A great bowler, no doubt. But it's interesting to see the article mention Harbhajan Singh's tally is next in line. It just reminds you of the golden era of Indian spin. Starc is a modern great, but for sheer magic with the ball, Wasim Akram in his prime was something else entirely.
A
Arjun K
Starc's record is impressive, but context matters. Akram played in an era with less support from other bowlers and on less bowler-friendly pitches overall. Still, 415 wickets is 415 wickets. You have to give credit where it's due. The Ashes rivalry always produces these historic moments.
S
Sarah B
Watching from the UK, it's painful to see him do this against England again! But as a cricket fan, you have to admire his skill. That spell of 7-58 in Perth was terrifyingly good. He and Lyon are the pillars of that Australian attack.
K
Karthik V
The stats about him, Ashwin, and Lyon being the only ones with 350+ wickets since 2015 is telling. It shows the value of consistency. While we celebrate Starc, let's not forget our own Ashwin quietly building a legendary tally himself. Different bowlers, same elite club.
M
Meera T
Wasim Akram's message was pure class. That's what cricket is about. Records are made to be broken, but the respect between legends remains. Starc has carried the Australian pace attack for so long, often underappreciated. Well deserved, Mitchell!

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