Starc overtakes Akram with most wickets in Test history by left-arm pacers

Saturday, 6 December 2025 00:13 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Mitchell Starc

Pakistan great Wasim Akram has officially handed the baton to Mitchell Starc as the greatest left-arm pacer of all-time after the Australian surpassed his wicket-tally on the opening day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane.

Starc went past Wasim’s tally of 414 Test wickets when collecting figures of 6/71 on an action-packed opening day to the second Test between Australia and England at the Gabba and the Pakistan legend wasted no time in showering praise on the 35-year-old fast bowler who now has the most Test scalps for any left-arm pacer.

Wasim took to social media to show his appreciation of Starc and his 418 Test wickets and said there was still plenty of further accolades awaiting the Australian throughout the remainder of his career.

“Super Starc! Proud of you, mate,” Wasim wrote on X.

“Your incredible hard work sets you apart, and it was only a matter of time before you crossed my tally of wickets.

“I am pleased to give this to you! Go well, and 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 still 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.

“So as far as I’m concerned he’s still the pinnacle of left-armers and certainly right up there with bowlers to ever play the game.

“So it’s nice to be spoken of up around that, but I’ll just try and keep churning a few out.”

Starc remains fourth overall on Australia’s list of Test wicket-takers, with Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563) and Nathan Lyon (562) the only players ahead of him.