Starc Surpasses Wasim Akram to Become Leading Test Wicket-Taker Among Left-Arm Quick Bowlers
Mitchell Starc has overtaken Pakistan legend Wasim Akram to become the most prolific left-arm fast bowler in Test history, claiming a superb 6 for 71 on day one of the opening Ashes Test at the Gabba.
Starc’s fourth haul of six wickets or more in just four innings lifted him to 418 Test wickets, four ahead of Akram’s long-standing tally. The achievement came as Australia fielded an attack missing Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, placing additional pressure on Starc to lead the line.
Akram, widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, congratulated Starc on social media during play, writing: “Super Starc! Proud of you, mate… I am pleased to give this to you! Go well, and keep soaring to new heights in your stellar career.”
Starc Plays Down ‘GOAT’ Talk
Despite surpassing one of the sport’s most revered figures, Starc dismissed suggestions he is now the greatest left-arm quick ever.
“I won’t be calling myself that,” he said. “Wasim’s still a far better bowler than I am… he’s the pinnacle of left-armers.”
Starc admitted feeling “pretty tired” after extending his remarkable pink-ball record to 87 wickets at 16.72, reinforcing his dominance under lights.
England Fight Back Through Root
England closed the day on 325 for 9, thanks largely to Joe Root’s first Test century on Australian soil. The tourists had struggled early when Starc removed Ben Duckett—his 26th wicket in the first over of a Test innings—and Ollie Pope.
Reintroduced in the middle session, Starc struck immediately with the wicket of Harry Brook, whose loose drive resulted in a sharp catch by stand-in captain Steven Smith. That dismissal moved Starc to 415 wickets, nudging him past Akram’s record.
He continued to dismantle England’s middle and lower order, removing Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, and Brydon Carse to collect his 18th five-wicket haul. England’s No. 11 Jofra Archer, however, survived until stumps alongside Root, preventing Starc from achieving career-best figures for the third consecutive Test.
Akram: “He’s the Best in the World Right Now”
Speaking to News Corp prior to the Test, Akram hailed Starc as the premier fast bowler in modern cricket.
“Right now, he is the number one bowler in world cricket and the hardest to face in all formats,” Akram said. “He will get 500 Test wickets. He is a modern great.”
With Australia relying heavily on his experience and potency, Starc’s ascent to the top of the left-arm fast bowling ranks appears to be just another step in what Akram believes will be a historic career.