Australian pacer Mitchell Starc breaks Wasim Akram’s long-standing record

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has overtaken Pakistan legend Wasim Akram to become the most successful left-arm fast bowler in Test cricket.

The milestone came during the opening innings of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba, where Starc dismissed England’s Harry Brook to claim his 415th wicket.

Wasim Akram, widely regarded as one of the finest bowlers in the sport’s history, had held the record for nearly two decades. He finished his career with 414 wickets in 104 Test matches, the highest tally by any left-arm fast bowler until Starc moved past him on Thursday.

Starc, who made his Test debut in 2011, entered the match with 412 wickets from 101 appearances. His breakthrough dismissal of Brook was his third wicket of the innings and pushed him to the top of the all-time list for left-arm pacers.

Cricket Australia acknowledged the achievement in a social media post, describing the moment as a “milestone” for the Australian bowler.

The updated list of most Test wickets by left-arm fast bowlers now places Starc at the top with 415 wickets, followed by Wasim Akram (414). Sri Lanka’s Chaminda Vaas holds third place with 355 wickets, New Zealand’s Trent Boult is fourth with 317, and Australia’s Mitchell Johnson stands fifth with 313.