In the current second Test match against South Africa, Australia’s fast-bowling attack is being spearheaded by left-arm bowler Mitchell Starc. On Day 2 at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, he dismissed Matthew Breetzke for four to start his wicket total. On Tuesday, he took Wiaan Mulder for his second wicket.
Starc dismissed Wiaan Mulder on the final delivery of the 50th over, setting a new record. It was a moment that perfectly encapsulated what has made Starc so successful throughout his international career: the capacity to make an impactful delivery at a crucial juncture in a game.
This is an accomplishment that has no direct precedent in the format because no left-arm bowler had ever taken 450 Test wickets. Starc’s ability to stay a front-line danger in Australia’s attack at the age of 36 and his consistency throughout years of playing international cricket highlight the technical and physical demands he has continued to satisfy throughout his career.
On the day of the rain, Alex Carey captured Breetzke, but in the morning session of the third day’s play, Matt Renshaw finished Mulder’s catch. Mulder, who scored 13 runs off 38 balls, was removed, allowing Starc to reach 450 wickets in Test cricket.
In Test cricket, he is the first left-arm bowler (spinner or pacer) to reach 450 wickets. Starc is followed by Rangana Herath, Wasim Akram, Daniel Vettori, and Ravindra Jadeja on the list of left-arm bowlers with the most Test wickets.
