BRISBANE: Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc stands on the brink of a monumental milestone as he edges closer to surpassing Wasim Akram’s iconic 414 Test wickets, a long-standing benchmark for left-arm fast bowlers.
The 35-year-old, who debuted nearly 14 years ago, now requires just two more wickets to equal the Pakistan legend’s tally and three to move past him—an achievement that would firmly establish Starc among cricket’s greatest fast bowlers.
Starc Eyes History Ahead of Gabba Ashes Test
With England arriving in Brisbane for the second Ashes Test at the Gabba, the stage is set for Starc to etch his name into the record books.
Most Wickets by Left-Arm Pacers in Test Cricket
Player Country Matches Wickets
Wasim Akram Pakistan 104 414
Mitchell Starc Australia 101 412*
Chaminda Vaas Sri Lanka 111 355
Trent Boult New Zealand 78 317
Mitchell Johnson Australia 73 313
*Active player
Dominant Ashes Opener Fuels Starc’s Charge
Starc’s pursuit of Akram’s record comes on the back of a sensational bowling display in the Ashes opener in Perth, where he led a weakened Australian pace attack in the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
The left-arm quick delivered one of the best spells of his Test career, taking 7 for 58 in the first innings and finishing with 10 wickets in the match, dismantling England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach.
His 2025 form has been nothing short of elite:
39 wickets
Average: 15.71
He is now just 11 scalps away from matching his career-best year (50 wickets in 2016) — and with three more Tests to play, that record is well within reach.
Recap: Australia Dominate Perth Test Inside Two Days
Australia’s comprehensive victory inside two days began with England folding for 172, despite Ben Stokes’ five-wicket haul aided by Brydon Carse (3) and Jofra Archer (2). Australia replied with a gritty 132, adding just nine more runs on day two through Nathan Lyon and Brendan Doggett.
England’s second innings produced 164 runs, with Gus Atkinson (37 off 32) and Ollie Pope (33) showing resistance.
Scott Boland led Australia’s attack with 4/33
Starc and Doggett chipped in with three wickets each
Starc’s match figures of 10/113 earned him the Player of the Match award.
Head’s Explosive Ton Seals the Win
Chasing 205 on a lively pitch, Travis Head played the innings of the match, smashing a 69-ball century and remaining unbeaten on 123 from 83 deliveries, hitting 16 fours and 4 sixes.
Key partnerships:
45 with Jake Weatherald (23)
143* with Marnus Labuschagne (51* off 49)
Australia won by eight wickets, with Carse taking the only two wickets to fall.
All Eyes on the Gabba
As the Ashes caravan moves to Brisbane, all attention will be on Mitchell Starc. With the Gabba historically being one of his most successful venues, cricket fans worldwide are poised to witness a potential record-breaking moment.
Starc now stands on the threshold of surpassing Wasim Akram’s legendary 414 wickets, a milestone that would cement his legacy as one of the most destructive left-arm fast bowlers in Test history.
