The New King of WTC Bowlers
With a devastating performance in Mackay, Mitchell Starc surged to the top of the World Test Championship's all-time wicket-taking charts. He now has 230 wickets in the competition's history, a testament to his enduring threat with the red ball since
the WTC's inception in 2019. His latest haul saw him leapfrog his own teammates, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, who were previously leading the pack with 225 wickets each. The achievement places Starc in a league of his own, as he is the first bowler to reach the 230-wicket milestone in the championship's history.
A Destructive Spell for the Ages
Starc's record-breaking day was powered by a breathtaking spell of 6 for 12 from 10 overs against Bangladesh. The carnage began with the very first ball of the match when he dismissed opener Shadman Islam. He went on to claim a five-wicket haul in just 22 deliveries, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 12 for 5 and effectively ending the contest before it had truly begun. The visitors were eventually bundled out for 64, their fourth-lowest total in Test history and their lowest ever against Australia. This stunning collapse came just days after Bangladesh had posted 426 in their historic first-Test victory in Darwin.
Most First-Ball Wickets in Test History
The wicket of Shadman Islam off the first ball of the Test was not just a tone-setter; it was a world record. This was the fourth time in Starc's illustrious career that he has taken a wicket with the opening delivery of a Test match. This incredible feat moved him past West Indies pacer Pedro Collins, who had achieved it on three occasions. Starc's knack for immediate impact is now statistically unparalleled, with previous first-ball victims coming against Sri Lanka (2016), England (2021), and India (2024).
Climbing the All-Time Test Ladder
Beyond his WTC heroics, the spell also elevated Starc's status among the legends of the game. His six wickets took his career tally to 440 Test wickets, moving him past South African great Dale Steyn (439) into 10th place on the all-time list. This also makes him the fifth-highest wicket-taker among all fast bowlers in the history of Test cricket. Earlier in the series, during the first Test in Darwin, Starc had already surpassed Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath (433) to become the most successful left-arm bowler in the format's history.
Context is Everything for Australia
Starc's masterclass was not just about personal milestones; it was a crucial performance for his team. Australia entered the second Test 1-0 down in the series after a stunning and historic defeat to Bangladesh in Darwin. Needing a dominant display to level the series and regain momentum in the new WTC cycle, Starc delivered one of the most destructive opening spells in recent memory. By blowing away the opposition for just 64, he single-handedly put Australia in an unassailable position to square the series and assert their authority.
