Australian fast bowling spearhead Mitchell Starc has etched his name into cricketing folklore, officially surpassing the legendary Wasim Akram to become the most successful left-arm fast bowler in the history of Test cricket. The historic moment unfolded during a devastating spell on the opening day of the second Ashes Test at Brisbane's Gabba.
A Fiery Spell Seals Historic Feat
The 35-year-old speedster produced a sensational performance, decimating the English batting line-up with figures of 6 wickets for 71 runs. This brilliant haul took his overall Test wicket tally to 418, moving him past the iconic Pakistani bowler's long-standing record of 414 wickets. Starc's achievement places him at the pinnacle of left-arm pace bowling in the sport's longest format.
A Coronation and a Heartfelt Salute
Within minutes of the milestone being reached, the man he dethroned, Wasim Akram, took to social media platform X to post a gracious and heartfelt tribute. Akram's message was nothing short of a royal coronation for his successor. "Super Starc! Proud of you, mate," Akram wrote. He praised Starc's incredible hard work and stated it was only a matter of time before his record was broken. "I am pleased to give this to you! Go well, and keep soaring to new heights in your stellar career," the Sultan of Swing added.
This exchange symbolizes more than just praise; it represents the passing of the baton between two generations of cricketing giants, both defined by their mastery of reverse swing, lethal yorkers, and relentless aggression.
Starc's Humble Response and Lofty Company
In a display of remarkable humility that left reporters impressed, Starc immediately played down his monumental achievement, insisting the legend he overtook remains the ultimate benchmark. "Wasim's still a far better bowler than I am," Starc said. "He's the pinnacle of left-armers… I'll just try and keep churning a few out."
Despite his modest words, Starc now sits among cricket's immortals in the record books. Among Australian bowlers, only spin wizard Shane Warne (708 wickets) and pace legends Glenn McGrath (563) and Nathan Lyon (562) are now ahead of him in the all-time wicket-takers list. At 35 years of age and with his current form blazing in the ongoing Ashes series, Starc's pursuit of further glory is far from over.
