Mitchell Starc set to become 1st left-arm pacer in Ashes history to take 100 wickets

Australia’s veteran pacer Mitchell Starc is set to rewrite Ashes record books in the series opener at Perth Stadium. Starc needs three wickets to complete 100 wickets in his Ashes career. He will become the first left-arm pacer to achieve the feat.

In the absence of an unfit Pat Cummins and an injured Josh Hazlewood, Starc will lead the pace attack comprising of Scott Boland, debutant Brendan Doggett and all-rounder Cameron Green.

Overall, Starc will become the 21st bowler in Ashes history to take 100 or more wickets. He will be 13th Australia to complete a century of Ashes wickets as well.

A wicket in the first Test will see him surpass Australia great Jeff Thomson who has 97 wickets from 20 Tests. He will also go past England left-arm spinner Johnny Briggs who took 97 wickets from 31 Tests.

Currently, Starc has 97 wickets from 22 Ashes Tests at an average of 27.37 featuring four fifers.

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Starc to leave Ambrose behind

Four wickets in the Perth Test will also see him surpass West Indies' Curtly Ambrose. Starc has 402 wickets from 100 Tests. Ambrose has 405 wickets from 98 Tests. Starc will take the 17th place on leading Test wicket-takers list.

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Starc’s chance to break Akram’s all-time Test record

Later on, Starc will have a chance to break Pakistan's Wasim Akram who holds the record for most Test wickets by a left-arm pacer. Akram has 414 wickets from 104 Tests.

Starc not thrilled about no.8 batting position

While Starc is relishing the responsibility of leading the pace attack, he is concerned about the added responsibility as a no.8 batter.

"I've been trying to get rid of No. 8 for a while, and now I have to go back there," Starc said. "You all think we fight about getting higher up the order. We all fight to get lower.

"We know how important, how beneficial contributions there can be to first innings, second innings, setting up a total, whatever it may be. That'll play a part. I will keep working on it."

Starc’s Test batting numbers

The 35-year-old has 2,322 runs from 147 innings at an average of 20.19, featuring 11 fifties. His last Test fifty was not a long while ago. In the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final, he registered an unbeaten 58 off 136 deliveries to help set a target of 282 at Lord's.