BRISBANE: Australia’s Mitchell Starc on Thursday broke a major record held by Pakistan’s legendary Wasim Akram, becoming the highest wicket-taking left-arm fast bowler in Test history during the ongoing Ashes Test at the Gabba.
Starc, who removed Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook in the day-night encounter, has now moved past Akram’s tally. Wasim Akram claimed 414 wickets in 104 Tests, while Starc surpassed him by reaching 415 wickets in just his 102nd Test.
Starc delivered a fiery opening spell, removing Duckett and Pope for ducks, putting England on the back foot right from the start.
His outstanding spell also added several new records to his name.
England opted to bat first after winning the toss. Australia fielded an all-pace attack, resting experienced spinner Nathan Lyon for only the second time at home since 2012, while Pat Cummins was unavailable.
Starc struck on the last ball of his first over, dismissing Duckett for a golden duck with a full outswinger that took the edge and carried to Marnus Labuschagne in the slips.
In his next over, Pope dragged a delivery onto his stumps, falling for his second consecutive duck of the innings.
Duckett’s wicket also took Starc’s tally in day-night Tests to 84 — the most by any bowler in the world — extending his lead over teammate Pat Cummins, who has 43 wickets.
Starc additionally became the first bowler in pink-ball Test history to take more than 20 wickets against a single opponent, achieving the feat against England.
At the time of filing this report, England were 181-4 in 41 overs. Zak Crawley anchored the innings with a fluent 76 off 93 balls, striking 11 boundaries.
After the early setbacks of Duckett and Pope, Joe Root and Harry Brook steadied the innings with an important stand. Root was unbeaten on 61 off 99 balls, while Brook contributed 24 before being dismissed for 31 off 33 deliveries.
Captain Ben Stokes had joined Root at the crease as England looked to rebuild once again.
