In a monumental achievement in Test cricket, Australian speedster Mitchell Starc has etched his name into the record books by becoming the highest wicket-taking left-arm fast bowler of all time. The milestone was reached during a dominant pink-ball performance, yet the bowler's immediate reaction was one of profound humility and respect for the legend he surpassed, Pakistan's Wasim Akram.
A Record with a Touch of Humility
Mitchell Starc's figures of 6 for 71 in the ongoing day-night Test were not just pivotal for Australia but also historic for his career. With these wickets, his tally rose to 418 Test wickets in 102 matches, moving past Wasim Akram's legendary count of 414. However, when asked about overtaking the Pakistani great, Starc was quick to deflect the glory. "Wasim is still the pinnacle and better," Starc stated, showcasing the high esteem in which he holds the Sultan of Swing.
This performance marked Starc's sixth five-wicket haul in day-night Tests, the most by any bowler, and further cemented his status as the undisputed king of the pink ball. His dominance in this format is staggering: he now has 87 wickets in pink-ball Tests, far ahead of his nearest rivals, teammates Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins, who have 43 each.
The Pink-Ball Enigma and a Tough Day's Cricket
Reflecting on his incredible success with the pink ball, a phenomenon even he struggles to explain, Starc offered insights into the day's play. "I get asked all the time, I still don't know. It is what it is," he admitted. He described the challenge of bowling with a soft ball, which made scoring difficult but also posed problems for the bowlers. "A pretty tough day's cricket," he summarised, acknowledging Joe Root's resilient batting which helped England recover from early setbacks.
The day began with England winning the toss and opting to bat. Starc struck two devastating early blows, removing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks to reduce England to 5/2. A 117-run partnership between Joe Root and Zak Crawley (76) steadied the innings before Australia fought back. A sharp run-out by Josh Inglis to dismiss Ben Stokes for 19 triggered a collapse. Starc's five-wicket haul had England at 264/9, but a late flourish from Root and Jofra Archer (32*) took the visitors to 325/9 at stumps.
Akram's Gracious Praise and Starc's Stellar Career
The achievement was graciously acknowledged by Wasim Akram himself, who took to social media platform X to congratulate the Australian. "Super Starc! Proud of you, mate. Your incredible hard work sets you apart... I am pleased to give this to you! Go well, and keep soaring to new heights in your stellar career," Akram wrote, in a message that beautifully captured the spirit of sportsmanship.
Starc's career statistics are a testament to his longevity and skill. With an average of 26.42 and best figures of 7/58, he has 18 five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket match hauls. This tally makes him the fourth-highest wicket-taker for Australia in Test history, a remarkable feat for a left-arm quick who continues to lead his team's attack with ferocity and consistency, especially under lights.
