Ashes 2025-26: Mitchell Starc labels Wasim Akram as ‘pinnacle left-armer’ after surpassing his Test tally

Mitchell Starc has said that Wasim Akram remains the benchmark for left-arm fast bowlers in Test cricket after surpassing the former Pakistani cricketer’s tally on November 4 during the second Ashes Test. Starc ended up with six wickets to his name in 19 overs while conceding 71 runs.

Asked about how he manages to achieve success while bowling with the pink ball, Starc complimented the manner in which Joe Root batted for his ton. He reckoned that the opening day belonged to both teams after a hard-fought day of Test cricket.

“I’ll reflect on it later. Wasim is still the pinnacle left-armer, I think he’s still better. (Key to his incredible success with the pink ball) I get asked all the time, I still don’t know. It is what it is. I think it’s still like a white ball. Today, it was a soft ball. A couple of Yorkshiremen, runs and wickets. Joe’s batted well there. A pretty tough day’s cricket. I think once that ball goes soft, it’s not the easiest thing to score with. It’s certainly not the easiest thing to bowl with when it’s soft either. Proper Test cricket. Pink ball, 9 for 320 [325], pretty solid day’s Test cricket,” stated Starc during a post-day interview with the broadcasters.

Starc rattled England’s top-order, picking up two wickets in his first two overs of the pink-ball encounter. Harry Brook’s (31 off 33) wicket took Starc’s tally to 415 wickets, going past Akram’s (414) long-standing record as the leading left-arm wicket-taker in Test. The remainder of Starc’s wickets came under the lights at the Gabba as he looked at his trademark best whenever he ran in.

 At Stumps on the first day, England stood 325/9 in 74 overs, with Joe Roots (unbeaten 135 off 202) ensuring that the hosts did not get away with another dominant bowling performance.