Starc becomes highest-wicket-taking left-arm fast bowler in Tests

Mitchell Starc etched his name in Test cricket history on the opening day of Brisbane Test, surpassing Pakistan legend Wasim Akram to become the highest wicket-taker among left-arm fast bowlers.

Starc claimed the record when he dismissed Harry Brook in the second session, taking a slip catch off an attempted drive. 

The wicket marked Starc’s 415th Test scalp, overtaking Akram’s long-standing tally of 414. 

Akram had achieved his record in 104 Tests and 181 innings, while Starc reached the milestone in his 102nd Test and 195th innings.

England, after a shaky start under lights at Gabba, recovered to 196 for four at the end of the second session. 

Early setbacks saw them reduced to 2 for 5 inside three overs, but Joe Root and Zak Crawley steadied the innings with a brisk counter-attack. 

Crawley struck 76 off 93 balls before falling in the second session, while Root remained unbeaten on 68 after an initially cautious start.

Starc finished the day as the standout bowler, taking 3 for 36. His dismissal of Brook broke a threatening fourth-wicket stand of 54, cutting short the English batter’s aggressive cameo that included cuts, pulls and ramps.

The achievement carries added significance given Akram’s legendary status as a pioneer of modern left-arm fast bowling. 

Starc’s record now places him alone at the top of this elite list.

At the close, Root continued to anchor the innings alongside captain Ben Stokes, who was unbeaten on 14. 

Australia missed a late opportunity when Stokes was dropped in the slips off Scott Boland near the end of the session.

SH