Mitchell Starc Creates WTC History With Stunning Six-Wicket Haul… Nathan Lyon and Dale Steyn Records Fall

Mackay: Mitchell Starc added another remarkable chapter to his decorated career on Saturday as the Australian fast bowler shattered multiple bowling records during the second Test against Bangladesh at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.

The left-arm pacer was almost unplayable with the new ball, finishing Bangladesh’s first innings with extraordinary figures of 6 for 12 as the visitors were bowled out for just 64 runs. Starc claimed five wickets in only 22 balls, ripping through the Bangladesh batting order in a breathtaking opening burst.

But his performance was about much more than one devastating spell. It also pushed Starc past some of cricket’s biggest names in the record books.

Starc Becomes WTC’s Leading Wicket-Taker

Starc’s early wickets took him past teammate Nathan Lyon to become the highest wicket-taker in the history of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

The Australian speedster now has 230 WTC wickets, moving clear of Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, who have 225 wickets each.

Starc reached the landmark in his 56th WTC match, underlining his consistency and longevity as one of Australia’s premier fast bowlers.

Among the other leading WTC wicket-takers are India’s Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah, further highlighting the elite company Starc now leads.

First-Ball Strike Sets Up Bangladesh Collapse

Starc wasted absolutely no time making an impact in Mackay.

With the very first delivery of the Test, he dismissed Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam, who was caught by Cameron Green in the gully.

The carnage continued in Starc’s next over when Tanzid Hasan and Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto fell from successive deliveries, briefly putting Starc on a hat-trick.

Within just 22 balls, he had already completed a five-wicket haul. Starc eventually finished with 6/12, while Pat Cummins claimed 3/25 as Bangladesh collapsed for 64.

Starc Also Goes Past Dale Steyn

The WTC record was not Starc’s only major achievement of the day.

His six-wicket haul also moved him past former South African pace legend Dale Steyn on the list of Test cricket’s highest wicket-takers.

Steyn ended his celebrated Test career with 439 wickets from 93 matches.

Starc has now reached 441 Test wickets, moving into the top 10 wicket-takers in Test history.

It is a significant milestone for the Australian, particularly considering the legendary fast bowlers who have dominated the format over the decades.

The all-time Test wickets chart is headed by Muttiah Muralitharan, followed by Shane Warne and James Anderson.

Starc Leads WTC 2025-27 Race Too

Starc’s dominance is not limited to the overall WTC standings.

The Australian pacer has also emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the ongoing 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle, reaching 54 wickets.

His Mackay performance moved him ahead of England fast bowler Josh Tongue, who has 53 wickets.

India pacer Mohammed Siraj, England captain Ben Stokes, and West Indies bowlers Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph are among the other leading wicket-takers in the current cycle.

The numbers show just how productive Starc has remained despite being in the later stages of his international career.

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Another Milestone on Home Soil

Starc also crossed another significant landmark during his memorable spell, reaching 400 international wickets on Australian soil.

The achievement places him among a select group of bowlers to have reached the milestone in their home country.

Sri Lankan great Muttiah Muralitharan holds the overall record for most international wickets on home soil with 647, while former England stars James Anderson and Stuart Broad are the only other bowlers to have taken more than 500 international wickets at home.

A Statement Spell From Mitchell Starc

At 36, Starc continues to demonstrate why he remains one of the most dangerous new-ball bowlers in world cricket.

His ability to combine high pace, late swing and accuracy was on full display in Mackay, where Bangladesh’s top order simply had no answer.

The performance was particularly significant after Australia suffered a surprise nine-wicket defeat in the opening Test in Darwin.

Starc responded emphatically in the second Test, producing a spell that not only put Australia in control but also rewrote several pages of cricket’s record book.

From overtaking Nathan Lyon in the WTC to moving beyond Dale Steyn in Test cricket, it turned into a landmark day for one of Australia’s greatest fast bowlers.

And with 441 Test wickets and counting, the bigger question now is — how high can Mitchell Starc climb before he finally calls time on his career?