Mitchell Starc made history on Day 1 of the Gabba pink-ball Test when he overtook Wasim Akram to become the left-arm fast bowler with the most wickets in Test cricket. But even after claiming the record, Starc kept the Pakistan legend in the spotlight, calling Akram the “pinnacle” of left-arm bowling.
Starc broke the record during the second session when he dismissed Harry Brook, taking his tally to 415 wickets. Earlier in the morning, he had rattled England’s top order by removing Ben Duckett off the first ball of the match and pouncing on Ollie Pope to draw level with Akram’s 414. The breakthrough wicket came only after Zak Crawley and Joe Root frustrated Australia with a long-on partnership to delay Starc’s big moment.
AUS vs. ENG, Brisbane Test Day 1: Highlighting
When Starc finally spoke about breaking the stumps record, he downplayed the achievement with typical modesty.
“I’ll think about it later. Wasim is still the best left-armer, I think he’s getting better. (The key to his incredible success with the pink ball) They keep asking me, I still don’t know. It’s like that. I think it’s still like a white ball. It was a soft ball today. A couple of Yorkshire days, runs and cuckett wickets. I think they used to bat there. Joe. The ball goes soft, it’s not the easiest to play with. he can score, certainly not the easiest when it’s soft Proper Test cricket, 9 for 320, pretty solid cricket for the day,” Starc said.
Akram himself was among the first to congratulate the Australian pacer. Writing on X, he heaped praise on Starc: “Super Starc! Proud of you mate, it was only a matter of time before you surpassed my wicket tally. Go well and keep flying.”
Starc finished with figures of 6 for 71 to continue his strong start to the Ashes after a 10-wicket haul in Perth. His early breakthroughs and record wicket helped Australia maintain control for much of the day, although a superb unbeaten century from Joe Root kept England in contention.
Root and Crawley provided England with some stability after an early collapse, but Starc’s ability to strike at crucial moments ensured Australia remained on top. Brook’s dismissal – at slip straight at Steve Smith – gave Starc a record he had been working towards for more than a decade.
The updated list of left-arm fast bowlers in Test cricket is now topped by Starc with 415 wickets, closely followed by Akram with 414.
England ended the day on 325/9, but the headline firmly belonged to Starc – the fast bowler who made history but humbly handed the crown back to the man he outplayed.
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
December 4, 2025
