Although England could not secure victory in Melbourne, their bowlers exploited a helpful pitch to defeat Australia, narrowing the gap in the Ashes series. With their win in the fourth Test, England reduced the series deficit to 3–1, though Australia had already confirmed their series triumph. The match concluded on Saturday, on the second day itself.
However, this Test will be particularly memorable for Australia due to Mitchell Starc’s extraordinary achievement. The 35-year-old pacer set a unique world record in 2025, becoming the bowler with the lowest strike rate among those taking at least 50 wickets in a calendar year, while also claiming the most Test wickets in the same period.
With one Ashes Test remaining—the Sydney Test starting on 4 January—2025 effectively marks the end of the year’s Test cricket chapter for both England and Australia.
Starc finished the year with 55 Test wickets at an astonishing strike rate of 28.3, breaking a 32-year-old record previously held by Pakistan legend Wasim Akram (not Wakar Younis). Akram had taken the same number of wickets in 1993 with a strike rate of 29.5. While Starc achieved this over 11 Tests, Akram had done so in just seven.
Despite the difference in matches played, Starc’s feat is remarkable in the context of historical records. In terms of total wickets in a calendar year, other legendary bowlers have far outstripped him. Australian spinner Shane Warne tops the list with 96 wickets in 15 Tests in 2005, followed by Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan with 90 wickets in 11 Tests in 2006. Several others, including Australia’s Dennis Lillee (85 wickets), South Africa’s Allan Donald (80 wickets), and Muralitharan again (80 wickets), have also crossed the 80-wicket mark in a single year.
Nevertheless, 2025 will be remembered as the year of Mitchell Starc for his unmatched efficiency and devastating strike rate, cementing his name in the annals of cricket history.
Top Calendar-Year Test Wicket-Takers (Selected)
| Bowler | Year | Matches | Wickets | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Warne (AUS) | 2005 | 15 | 96 | – |
| Muttiah Muralitharan (SL) | 2006 | 11 | 90 | – |
| Dennis Lillee (AUS) | 1981 | – | 85 | – |
| Allan Donald (SA) | 1998 | – | 80 | – |
| Mitchell Starc (AUS) | 2025 | 11 | 55 | 28.3 |
| Wasim Akram (PAK) | 1993 | 7 | 55 | 29.5 |
Starc’s 2025 campaign, marked by precision and relentless pace, demonstrates that it is not only the number of wickets but the quality and efficiency that define cricketing greatness.