Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been anointed the greatest left-arm pacer of all time by Pakistan legend Wasim Akram after surpassing his Test wicket tally on the opening day of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba.
According to the International Cricket Council (ICC) website, Starc, 35, produced a fiery spell to claim 6/71 against England, taking his Test tally to 418 wickets and overtaking Akram’s mark of 414, a record that had stood for nearly two decades. The performance makes Starc the most successful left-arm fast bowler in Test cricket history.
Wasim took to social media to show his appreciation of Starc and said there were still plenty of further accolades awaiting the Australian throughout the remainder of his career.
“Super Starc! Proud of you, mate,” Akram posted on X. “Your incredible hard work sets you apart, and it was only a matter of time before you crossed my tally. I am pleased to give this to you! Keep soaring to new heights in your stellar career.”
An exhausted Starc fronted the media after England reached 325/9 at stumps on day one, and the Australian declared Wasim remained the greatest left-arm quick of all-time.
“I’ll reflect on it later. Wasim’s still a far better bowler than I am,” Starc said. “As far as I’m concerned, he’s still the pinnacle of left-armers and right up there with the greatest bowlers to ever play. It’s nice to be spoken of around that mark, but I’ll just keep trying to churn a few out.”
With 418 wickets, Starc sits fourth on Australia’s all-time Test wicket-takers list. Only Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563), and Nathan Lyon (562) remain ahead of him.
The Australian pacer, known for his lethal swing, yorkers and match-turning bursts, now stands alone atop the list of left-arm fast bowlers — a position many believe he fully deserves.
