Starc Overtakes Akram: Australia’s Left-Arm Pace King in Tests

Mitchell Starc has etched his name in Test cricket history, surpassing Wasim Akram to become the most successful left-arm fast bowler of all time. The milestone occurred on Day 1 of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, where Starc claimed his 415th Test wicket. Dismissing England’s Harry Brook, caught by Steve Smith, Starc moved beyond Akram’s celebrated tally of 414 wickets. This historic scalp came early in his new bowling spell, showcasing his enduring skill. Starc, who debuted at the same venue in 2011, joins an elite group of bowlers with over 350 Test wickets since 2015, including Nathan Lyon and Ravichandran Ashwin. His consistent performances highlight a remarkable career trajectory. The veteran pace bowler is now positioned 16th on the all-time Test wicket-takers list and is poised to climb further, potentially surpassing Harbhajan Singh and Shaun Pollock. His impact was immediate in the current match, giving Australia a strong start by taking two crucial early wickets under the pink ball.