Mitchell Starc may now stand alone as the most successful left-arm fast bowler in Test cricket history, but in his own eyes, the true master of the craft remains Pakistan’s Wasim Akram. On the opening day of the Brisbane Test, the Australian pacer surpassed Akram’s long-standing record for the highest number of Test wickets taken by a left-arm seamer—a landmark that had endured for decades.
Akram’s tally of 414 wickets was once considered nearly unassailable. Starc, however, moved past that figure with emphatic authority, taking six wickets in the innings and bringing his total to 418. For many, the achievement signalled Starc’s arrival into an elite echelon of the sport. For Starc himself, though, the comparison remains premature and even uncomfortable.
Speaking after stumps on day one, the 35-year-old pacer was asked whether he now considered himself the greatest left-arm fast bowler of all time. Starc responded with typical modesty:
“No, I wouldn’t call myself the greatest of all time. Maybe I’ll think about those things later, but Wasim is still a far better bowler than I am. For me, he’s right at the top among left-arm quicks and remains one of the greatest bowlers the game has ever seen. It’s lovely to have my name mentioned alongside his, but I’ll just try to keep doing my job.”
Part of Starc’s humility stems from the reverence he holds for Akram, a bowler whose mastery of swing, reverse swing, seam and control transformed fast bowling globally. Akram’s influence on generations of bowlers remains unmatched, and Starc has never hidden the fact that he modelled parts of his own bowling philosophy on Akram’s craft.
In a heart-warming gesture, Akram himself responded to Starc’s milestone through social media. The Pakistani legend showered the Australian with praise, writing:
“Super Starc! I’m proud of you. Hard work has set you apart. I always felt it was only a matter of time before you went past my wicket tally. I happily hand this record over to you. Keep going. Add more feathers to your cap, and may your career continue to rise.”
Starc’s recent form has been nothing short of exceptional. During this year’s Ashes, he has been in blistering rhythm, consistently troubling batters with pace, swing and bounce. He has already taken 16 wickets in the series at a staggering average of 11.50, making him one of the most influential bowlers of the contest. His six-wicket haul in the current innings only strengthens his position as one of the game’s most decisive match-winners.
What makes Starc’s achievement even more remarkable is the refinement he has brought to his bowling this year. His 2024 bowling average has dipped to 15.20—his career best—suggesting that, despite his age, he continues to evolve, improve and dominate.
Yet, for all the accolades, Starc appears grounded. The image of a bowler chasing personal glory does not match the man himself. Instead, he remains focused on team success, valuing contribution over individual milestones. His attitude mirrors the ethos displayed by many great fast bowlers before him—humility, hunger, and constant improvement.
For fans and analysts, debates about the greatest left-arm fast bowler will continue, but for Starc, the answer is simple: Wasim Akram sits at the summit. And by paying tribute to the legend he has now statistically eclipsed, Starc reinforces not only his talent, but also his character.