Mitchell Starc has officially stepped past a living legend. The Australian speedster is now the most successful left-arm fast bowler in Test history, surpassing Pakistan icon Wasim Akram’s tally of 414 wickets during a sensational spell on day one of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Starc produced a fiery 6/71 against England, the performance that elevated him to 418 Test wickets, pushing him to the top of the all-time list for left-arm pacers — and triggering an emotional tribute from the man he overtook.Within minutes of the milestone, Akram took to social media and posted a heartfelt salute to Starc, calling him a worthy successor to the throne he has held for decades. His message read like a coronation.“Super Starc! Proud of you, mate,” Akram wrote on X. “Your incredible hard work sets you apart, and it was only a matter of time before you crossed my tally of wickets . I am pleased to give this to you! Go well, and keep soaring to new heights in your stellar career.”Akram’s words are more than praise. They symbolise a baton being passed between two generations defined by reverse swing, toe-crushing yorkers and unrelenting aggression.Yet, in a moment of humility that stunned reporters, Starc insisted Akram remains untouchable.“Wasim’s still a far better bowler than I am,” Starc said. “He’s the pinnacle of left-armers… I’ll just try and keep churning a few out.”While he plays down the achievement, Starc now sits alongside cricket’s immortals. Among Australian wicket-takers, only Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563) and Nathan Lyon (562) stand ahead of him. At 35, with form sizzling and the Ashes still unfolding, his chase isn’t over.
