Mitchell Starc produced another heroic performance at the Gabba after surpassing former Pakistan pace legend Wasim Akram’s tally of Test wickets. Starc, who still felt that Wasim Akram was beyond comparison, was eventually handed over the reins to him by the Pakistan legend himself.
In the Ashes competition, Mitchell Starc troubled the English batsmen with his aggressive fast bowling. In the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Starc is the only experienced bowler in Australia’s deck as Nathan Lyon was also ruled out for the second match in Brisbane.
However, like the first match, where Starc stormed in with 10 wickets in the two innings of the game, he once again seized the opportunity and performed well with the new and old ball. He also took another first wicket in this innings.
“Wasim is still a better bowler than me,” says Mitchell Starc modestly.
Before arriving for the home Ashes, Mitchell Starc had 402 wickets to his name. He took a career-best performance of 7 wickets in the first innings of the Perth Test and maintained it by taking 3 more wickets in the second innings, thus adding 10 wickets to his account.
After his brilliant performance in Perth, Starc also showed his royal style in Gabba. First the English top order, then their vice-captains, and finally the lower order; He troubled everyone with his fast bowling of excellent quality. Anyway, Starc has remarkable statistics with the pink ball.
Despite his record of 418* Test wickets, Starc maintained his humility and claimed that Wasim Akram would still be the best left-arm fast bowler to have played the game.
“I’ll think about it later, Wasim is still a better bowler than me,” Starc said.
“So as far as I’m concerned, he’s still on top among left-handed batsmen and certainly on top with bowlers who have always played in the game.
“So it’s good to discuss it, but I’ll just try and keep brainstorming something.”
“Super Starc! Proud of you, friend,” Wasim Akram commanded Starc himself
During this spell, he dismissed Harry Brook, his 415th wicket in his international Test career. This took him past Wasim Akram’s tally of 414 Test wickets and made Starc the most successful left-arm fast bowler in the history of the game. With his last wicket of the first day, he also surpassed Harbhajan Singh’s tally of wickets.
After this remarkable achievement, the Pakistan legend immediately congratulated Mitchell Starc and officially handed him the baton for the greatest left-arm fast bowler of all time. He congratulated Starc on his latest achievement on social media.
Wasim wrote on X, “Super Stark! Proud of you friend.”
“Your incredible hard work sets you apart, and it’s only a matter of time before you surpass my wicket tally.
“I’m glad to give it to you! Go well, and keep reaching new heights in your illustrious career.”
Mitchell Starc is the fourth highest test wicket taker for Australia
With Mitchell Starc’s 6 wickets in the first innings at the Gabba, he is the fourth highest wicket taker for Australia in Test cricket, behind only greats like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and his own teammate Nathan Lyon.
Close to a record 750 wickets in international cricket for Australia, he has overtaken Brett Lee and is the third-highest wicket-taker in Australian cricket history behind Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.
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