On Day 1 of the pink-ball Ashes Test in Brisbane, veteran Australian seamer Mitchell Starc made history by becoming the most successful left-arm fast bowler in Test cricket, overtaking the great Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram. Starc led the hosts through an exciting first day at the Gabba with another outstanding effort, taking six wickets. Notably, Starc’s accomplishment was praised by Akram, whose record lasted for decades.
With 414 Test wickets going into the second Ashes Test, the left-arm seamer was tied with Akram. He rose to the top of the all-time list for left-arm pacers by dismissing Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook in the first two sessions. He had added another six wickets to his pink-ball record by stumps, bringing his total to 418 wickets. With his 6/71, he also became the first fast bowler from Australia to take six wickets in three straight Test matches, an uncommon accomplishment that was last accomplished in the 19th century by England’s Tom Richardson. The former Pakistani bowler encouraged Starc to strive for more after praising him for smashing his own record.
“Excellent Starc! I’m proud of you, friend. You stand out for your extraordinary diligence, and it was just a question of time until you exceeded my wicket total. It gives me great pleasure to provide this to you! As reported on ESPNcricinfo, Akram remarked on X, “Go well, and keep soaring to new heights in your stellar career.”
Wasim remains the highest ranking left-armer: Starc
When he dismissed Duckett for a duck in the opening over, the 35-year-old was spot on. He cast Pope shortly after. Starc’s genius continued when he came back in the session to take Harry Brook out for 31, the wicket that officially surpassed Akram’s total.
He also destroyed the lower classes in England, taking Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, and Brydon Carse as victims. England finished the day with 325/9, whilst he finished with numbers of 6/71. Starc talked candidly about the milestone following the play of the day.
“I’ll think about it later. Wasim is still, in my opinion, the best left-armer. (The secret to his amazing success with the pink ball) I’m frequently asked, but I’m still unsure. It is what it is. It still resembles a white ball, in my opinion. It was a soft ball today. A couple of wickets, runs, and Yorkshiremen. Joe has done a good job batting there. A somewhat difficult day of cricket. It’s not the easiest thing to score with once the ball becomes soft, in my opinion. When it’s soft, bowling with it is undoubtedly difficult. Test cricket done right. “Very good day’s Test cricket, pink ball, 9 for 320,” he remarked.
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