Ashes 2025-26: Australian speedster Mitchell Starc has been at his 'imperious' best as he wound up an Ashes Tour to remember for himself. Notably, he led the Australian bowling attack in the absence of his usual 'partners-in-crime' Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. His campaign in the series has been so impressive that he achieved a massive feat even on the final day of the Sydney Test on Thursday. Interestingly, Starc picked up his wicket number 433, equalling the record of most wickets in Test Cricket for a left-armer.
The 35-year-old is tied with former Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath, who also had 433 wickets in 93 Tests from 1999 to 2018 and dismissed 433 batters. It is worth noting that Starc achieved the feat in 105 Tests.
Starc's 433rd scalp was of Josh Tongue, caught in the 89th over of England’s second innings, by Marnus Labuschagne.
Starc also took the massive wicket of 2nd innings centurion, Jacob Bethell, who kept the hope alive for his side until his vigil got ended on 154.
Starc ended his Ashes with 31 wickets to his name in the 2025-26 Ashes series.
Body Is Holding Up: Starc
Starc took the responsibility in the absence of veteran pacers Pat Cummins, who played the Adelaide Test and Josh Hazlewood, who was ruled out due to injury. Apart from bowling, Starc notched up 156 runs with the bat, along with two half-centuries.
"It feels like it's going ok. The body is holding together, and it's a great group to be a part of. I'm a little bit tired. Between Scott Boland, Michael Neser and I we've been told we're not on the younger side of things, but we've worked hard as a group. I'm glad I got a few runs at the start of the series, even though I didn't at the end. The partnership in Brisbane with Boland was a big one for us," Starc said during the post-match presentation.
Australia registered a comprehensive win by five wickets in the fifth and final Ashes Test against England. The Steve Smith-led Australia clinched the five-match series 4-1 against Ben Stokes' England.
Inputs from Agency