Starc pips Cummins to become leading wicket-taker in WTC history
New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS) Mitchell Starc etched his name in the history books as the Australia pacer became the leading wicket-taker in World Test Championship (WTC) history, producing a sensational spell against Bangladesh in the second Test in Mackay on Saturday.
Starc tore through Bangladesh’s batting line-up and finished with great figures of 6-12 as Australia bowled the visitors out for just 64 after winning the toss and opting to field first.
The veteran pacer’s stunning spell saw him overtake Australia teammate Pat Cummins to become the highest wicket-taker in WTC history. He now has 230 wickets in 56 matches, moving ahead of Cummins and Nathan Lyon, who have 225 wickets each.
India’s Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah complete the top five with 195 and 185 wickets respectively.
Starc’s six-wicket haul also took him to the top of the wicket-takers’ list in the ongoing WTC 2025-27 cycle. He now has 54 wickets from 10 Tests, moving ahead of England’s Josh Tongue, who has 53.
The left-arm pacer needed only one delivery to make an impact, removing Shadman Islam with the opening ball of the Test. Shadman’s leading edge flew to Cameron Green at gully, giving Starc his fourth Test wicket on the first ball of the match.
Starc struck again in the third over, dismissing Tanzid Hasan before trapping Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto lbw with the very next delivery. He then removed Mominul Haque, caught by Green, as Bangladesh quickly slipped into deep trouble.
Litton Das became Starc’s fifth victim after being trapped lbw, completing a remarkable five-wicket haul in just 22 deliveries.
The spell also saw Starc surpass South African great Dale Steyn on the all-time Test wicket-takers list. With his 440th Test wicket, Starc moved outright into 10th place overall and became the fifth-highest wicket-taking fast bowler in Test history.
Starc’s record-breaking performance came at a crucial stage for Australia, who arrived in Mackay trailing 1-0 after Bangladesh stunned them by nine wickets in the opening Test in Darwin.
–IANS
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