Ashes 2025: Mitchell Starc Becomes Most Successful Left-Arm Pacer In Test History, Breaks Wasim Akram's All-time Record

Mitchell Starc Test Records AUS vs ENG 2nd Test: Mitchell Starc etched his name in the history books on the back of another magnificent performance during the ongoing Ashes 2025-26. The Australia vs England 2nd Test saw early fireworks from Starc, who has been in remarkable form in the longest format of the game.

Starc has now become the left-arm pacer with the most number of wickets in the Test cricket history. He surpassed Pakistan legend Wasim Akram to achieve the milestone. The Aussie quick now has 415 Test wickets to his name in 102 career matches. On the other hand, Wasim took 414 wickets in 104 Tests he played for the Pakistan cricket team. The 35-year-old has maintained his dominance in the pink-ball Tests.

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Most wickets by left-arm pacers in Test cricket

Mitchell Starc (AUS): 415 wickets

Wasim Akram (PAK): 414 wickets

Chaminda Vaas (SL): 355 wickets

Trent Boult (NZ): 317 wickets

Zaheer Khan (IND): 313 wickets

Starc laid the foundation with another impressive start with the ball in hand. He took another wicket in the first over of the match, dismissing Ben Duckett for 0. He was to quick to get rid of Ollie Pope (0) as well to equal Akram's tally. However, he went past it soon after starting his third spell of the day as he got the better of Harry Brook, breaking a 54-run stand between him and Joe Root.

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Starc produced a brilliant performance in the first Test in Perth. He took seven wickets in the first innings before taking three more in the second to help his side register a famous 8-wicket win inside the two days to go 1-0 up in the five-match series. Starc is the fourth leading wicket-taker for Australia in Tests, only behind Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563) and Nathan Lyon (562).

Joe Root Strong In Middle

Joe Root and Zak Crawley were the only batters to play impactful knocks in the ongoing AUS vs ENG 2nd Test. While Crawley was dismissed for 76 runs, Root looks strong in the middle and is heading towards his much-awaited maiden Test century on the Australian soil.

He remained unbeaten on 68 as England reached 196/4 in 47 overs at the Dinner Break. Skipper Ben Stokes (14) is at the other end.

AUS vs ENG 2nd Test Playing XIs, Ashes 2025-26

Australia: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer