The Ashes 2025-26: Mitchell Starc becomes third bowler to take 200 wickets in ICC World Test Championship history

Mitchell Starc clinched a 10-wicket haul in first test of The Ashes 2025-26 in Perth.

Mitchell Starc has been a stand-out bowler in the ongoing first test of The Ashes 2025-26 between Australian Cricket Team and England Cricket Team at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The left-arm seamer grabbed the spotlight on day 2 of the match with his 10-wicket haul in the encounter. He also became the third bowler to reach the milestone of 200 wickets in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) history.

After England won the toss and opted to bat first in the clash, Starc clinched a seven-wicket haul in the first innings, registering figures of 7/58 in 12.5 overs. In the second innings, he picked 3/55 runs in his 12-over spell.

With his 10-fer in the Perth test, Starc became the second Australian pacer in last 35 years to take a 10-wicket match haul in The Ashes.

Mitchell Starc becomes the third bowler to register 200 wickets in ICC World Test Championship history

Moreover, the 35-year-old also bagged a huge achievement in the ICC WTC history, becoming the third bowler to reach the milestone of 200 wickets. He has joined his fellow Australian teammates Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins for the record.

While Lyon is the leading wicket-taker of the ICC WTC with 219 scalps in 54 matches, Cummins follows him next with 215 wickets in 51 games. With 201 scalps in 50 games, Starc currently holds the third spot. India’s Ravi Ashwin (195) and Jasprit Bumrah (184) are next in the list of bowlers with most wickets in the ICC WTC history.

Top five bowlers with most wickets in ICC World Test Championship history

• Nathan Lyon (Australia)- 219 wickets
• Pat Cummins (Australia)- 215 wickets
• Mitchell Starc (Australia)- 201 wickets
• Ravi Ashwin (India)- 195 wickets
• Jasprit Bumrah (India)- 184 wickets

Talking about the match, it ended on day two after Australia chased down the 205-run target set by the visitors, courtesy of a swashbuckling hundred from Travis Head in the fourth innings. Earlier in the game, England opted to bat first and were bowled out for 172 runs. They made a comeback by bowling out the hosts for 132. In the second innings, England couldn’t go big and managed only 164 runs on the board, setting the hosts a target of 205 runs.

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