Mitchell Starc Create History: Mitchell Starc created history with a brilliant bowling performance in the first Test of the Ashes 2025-26 series against England at the Optus Stadium in Perth. This left-arm fast bowler took 7 wickets for 58 runs in 12.5 overs in England’s first innings on the first day, while in the second innings he has completed his 10 wickets in the match by taking 3 wickets so far.

Starc achieved two major achievements in this match. Before completing 10 wickets in the very first match of the series, he registered his name in the record books by becoming the third bowler in the world to take 200 wickets in the World Test Championship (WTC).

Before the start of the match, Starc had taken 191 wickets in the WTC. He took the 200th wicket of his WTC career by bowling Joe Root on the second ball of the 20th over of England’s second innings. Root was out for zero in the first innings and could not stand in front of Starc in the second innings too, returning to the pavilion after scoring 8 runs in just 11 balls.

Australian who took the most wickets in WTC

Australia’s spinner Nathan Lyon (219 wickets) has the most wickets in the WTC, while Pat Cummins (215 wickets) is in second place. Starc has now reached third place in this elite list.

Players who took the most wickets in the World Test Championship

In the second innings, Mitchell Starc put pressure on the English batsmen from the beginning. He opened his account by catching and bowling Zak Crawley in the first over. Like the first innings, this time too Crowley was out without opening the account. After this, Starc broke the back of England by dismissing Joe Root and then England captain Ben Stokes.

Stokes was caught by Steve Smith on the fourth ball of the 25th over in the second session of the second day. Stokes, who took 5 wickets in the first innings, could not do anything special with the bat and returned after scoring only 2 runs in 11 balls. With this performance of Starc, the Australian team is moving towards victory. Australia needs to score 205 runs to win. It is expected that Australia will successfully achieve this target.