Mitchell Starc breaks Wasim Akram's all-time Test record, continues to produce magic with pink ball

Australia’s left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc rewrote the Test record books on Day 1 of the pink-ball Test at The Gabba, Brisbane. With England vice-captain Harry Brook’s wicket in the second session of Day 1 during the twilight period, he became the leading wicket-taker in Test for a left-arm pacer. Australia’s current pace-bowling spearhead broke Pakistan’s legendary pacer Wasim Akram’s record that stood for 23 years.

Brook became Starc’s third victim on Day 1 of second Test of the Ashes 2025-26. In the first over, he dismissed Ben Duckett for a golden duck. On the third ball of his second over, he got Ollie Pope out for a three-ball duck.

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Akram played 104 Tests and claimed 414 wickets at an average of 23.62, featuring 25 fifers. Starc achieved the feat in his 102nd Test. Currently, he is 16th on the list of leading wicket-taker in Tests.

Next record on Strac’s Test list

Now, Starc will be targetting the record for most Test wickets by a left-arm bowler. Former Sri Lanka left-arm spinner holds the record with 433 scalps from 93 Tests at just over 28 apiece, featuring 34 five-wicket hauls.

As the Test progresses, Starc can surpass two more legendary bowlers. Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has 417 wickets from 103 Tests whereas former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock has 421 wickets from 108 Tests.