Ashes 2025: Mitchell Starc Breaks 30-Year-Old Test Record Held by Waqar Younis
Mitchell Starc delivered a stellar all-round performance as Australia clinched the Ashes with an 82-run victory over England at the Adelaide Oval, securing a commanding 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Starc’s impressive figures included 3 for 62 in England’s second innings, adding to his earlier wicket in the first. Additionally, he contributed significantly with the bat, scoring a half-century in Australia’s first innings. At 35 years old, Starc has emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the series, boasting 22 dismissals, including two five-wicket hauls.
Starc’s Record-Breaking Performance
In the recent Test match, Mitchell Starc not only showcased his bowling prowess but also reached a remarkable milestone. He became the first cricketer to take 50 Test wickets in 2025, finishing the year with 51 scalps. This achievement places him ahead of India’s Mohammed Siraj, who has 43 wickets, and Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani with 42. Notably, all three bowlers have played in 10 Test matches this year, highlighting the competitive nature of their performances.
Starc’s exceptional strike-rate of 28.7 is the best ever recorded in a calendar year for bowlers with at least 50 wickets in Test cricket’s 148-year history. This record surpasses the previous benchmark set by Pakistan’s Waqar Younis, who achieved a strike-rate of 29.5 in 1993. Starc and Younis are now the only bowlers to have taken 50 or more Test wickets in a year while maintaining a strike-rate under 30, underscoring the elite nature of Starc’s achievement.
Comparison with Other Bowling Greats
Starc’s performance this year places him in an exclusive group of elite bowlers. His strike-rate of 28.7 outshines other notable bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, who took 71 wickets in 2024 at a strike-rate of 30.1, and Dale Steyn, who claimed 74 wickets in 2008 at a strike-rate of 35.8. Starc’s average of 17.15 in 2025 ranks him eighth overall and fifth among bowlers with 50 or more wickets in a single year. Only cricket legends like Imran Khan, Sydney Barnes, and Muttiah Muralitharan have recorded better averages in this category.
The only bowler to achieve a better strike-rate than Starc while taking a significant number of wickets in a year is England’s George Lohmann, who claimed 38 wickets in 1886 at an astonishing strike-rate of 18.0. Starc’s numbers not only highlight his current form but also position him among the greatest fast bowlers in Test cricket history.
Looking Ahead: The Boxing Day Test
With one Test match remaining in 2025, Starc has the chance to further enhance his record. Australia and England are set to clash again at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the Boxing Day Test, commencing on December 26. While England will be playing for pride, the match also holds significant implications for World Test Championship points.
This season has undoubtedly been the pinnacle of Starc’s Test career. His previous best came in 2016, when he took 50 wickets in eight matches at an average of 22.58 and a strike-rate of 39. In contrast, his performance in 2025 has elevated him to new heights, establishing a year that stands among the finest ever recorded by a fast bowler in Test cricket. As the series progresses, all eyes will be on Starc to see if he can continue this remarkable form.
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