Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has become the most successful left-arm bowler in Test cricket history after dismissing Bangladesh’s Shadman Islam in the first Test of the series in Darwin.
Starc dismissed Shadman Islam, who was caught by Nathan Lyon in the ninth over of Bangladesh’s innings. With the wicket, Starc surpassed former Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath’s tally of 433 Test wickets. Starc’s Test wicket tally has now reached 434 wickets from 106 matches, placing him joint 11th on the list of the highest wicket-takers in Test cricket alongside legendary Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev.
The 36-year-old needs just six more wickets to break into the top 10 Test wicket-takers. South African great Dale Steyn currently occupies 10th place with 439 wickets. Among left-arm bowlers, Pakistan’s legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram is third on the list with 414 Test wickets. Starc made his international debut for Australia in October 2010 and quickly established himself as one of the team’s leading fast bowlers across all three formats. He is also among the select group of cricketers to have won all three major ICC men’s world titles: the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, and World Test Championship.
Starc has also enjoyed an impressive ODI career, taking 247 wickets in 130 matches at an average of 23.58. He was a key member of Australia’s World Cup-winning teams in 2015 and 2023.