Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has etched his name into cricket’s history books during the 2025-26 Ashes series, establishing himself as the most successful left-arm fast bowler in Test cricket history. The 35-year-old speedster has been England’s primary tormentor throughout the current campaign, claiming 26 wickets at a remarkable average of 17.42.
Starc’s historic achievement came when he surpassed Pakistani legend Wasim Akram on the all-time Test wicket-takers list, joining an elite group of bowling greats. His consistent performance has been instrumental in Australia’s Ashes campaign, where he has stepped up significantly in the absence of other vaunted pace colleagues.
The veteran bowler’s durability has been equally impressive, featuring in 27 consecutive Australian Test matches and missing just four of the past 56. This remarkable fitness streak defies his early career challenges when then-coach Tim Nielsen urged the young Starc to ‘harden up’ and push through physical limitations.
Former England batter Dawid Malan provided insight into facing Starc’s bowling: ‘I always felt like I was in against him until he’d bowl an absolute jaffa and you’d just be walking back. He has just always got that wicket-taking ball.’
Starc’s evolution as a bowler has been key to his longevity. After being dropped during the 2019 Ashes tour, he developed the wobble seam delivery by studying English veterans Stuart Broad and James Anderson. Since adding this weapon to his arsenal, no bowler worldwide has taken more than Starc’s 118 Test wickets since the start of the 2023 series.
Former Australian pace bowler Jason Gillespie praised Starc’s adaptability: ‘Mitchell Starc just shows you can teach an old job new tricks. For a player aged 34 or 35 to stride and get better to improve is fantastic.’
With four more wickets in the upcoming Sydney Test, Starc would achieve the best Ashes series haul since Mitchell Johnson’s dominant performance 12 years ago. Australian coach Andrew McDonald has even suggested the 37-year-old Starc could tour England for the 2027 Ashes, potentially joining the exclusive club of pace bowlers with 500 Test wickets.