Mitchell Starc shatters Rangana Herath's world record in Darwin Test against Bangladesh
Mitchell Starc (Image Source: Cricket Australia)
Published - 14 Aug 2026, 02:49 AM• Read time - 12 mins
Australia's pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has shattered Rangana Herath's world record for claiming the most Test wickets by a left-arm bowler in Test cricketing history. The former Sri Lankan slow left-arm orthodox bowler, Herath, finished his Test career with 433 wickets in 93 matches at an average of 28.07 and 34 five-fors.
Starc surpassed Herath on the opening day of Australia's two-match Test series opener against Bangladesh at the Marrara Cricket Ground on August 13. The left-arm speedster dismissed Shadman Islam in the first innings to complete 434 Test wickets: the most by any left-armer in Test cricket.
Starc bowled a full delivery, angling into the pads of Shadman, and the latter tried to tuck it to the on-side. However, the Bangladesh opener shut his bat face too early as the ball ballooned in the air and Nathan Lyon caught it comfortably while fielding at cover point.
Starc is only the second left-arm seam bowler to breach the 400-wicket mark in red-ball cricket. Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram was the first to get there, finishing with 414 Test victims in 104 matches at an astounding average of 23.62, laced with 25 five-wicket hauls.
Four other left-arm pacers have claimed 300 or more Test wickets: Chaminda Vaas (355), Trent Boult (317), Mitchell Johnson (313) and Zaheer Khan (311).
Most Test wickets by a left-armer
| Player | Span | Mat | Wkts | Ave | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc (AUS) | 2011–2026 | 106 | 434 | 26.51 | 18 |
| Rangana Herath (SL) | 1999–2018 | 93 | 433 | 28.07 | 34 |
| Wasim Akram (PAK) | 1985–2002 | 104 | 414 | 23.62 | 25 |
| Daniel Vettori (ICC/NZ) | 1997–2014 | 113 | 362 | 34.36 | 20 |
| Chaminda Vaas (SL) | 1994–2009 | 111 | 355 | 29.58 | 12 |
| Ravindra Jadeja (IND) | 2012–2025 | 89 | 348 | 25.11 | 15 |
| Trent Boult (NZ) | 2011–2022 | 78 | 317 | 27.49 | 10 |
| Mitchell Johnson (AUS) | 2007–2015 | 73 | 313 | 28.40 | 12 |
| Zaheer Khan (IND) | 2000–2014 | 92 | 311 | 32.94 | 11 |
| Derek Underwood (ENG) | 1966–1982 | 86 | 297 | 25.83 | 17 |
Meanwhile, Australia got bowled out for just 198 in the first innings as Hasan Mahmud decimated their batting order with a six-wicket haul. Bangladesh, in reply, have already scored 96 for the loss of one wicket and trail by 102 runs.
Australia's playing XI:
Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Bench: Scott Boland, Josh Inglis
Support Staff: Andrew McDonald, Andre Borovec, Daniel Vettori, Michael Di Venuto, Adam Griffith
Bangladesh's playing XI:
Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Litton Das (wk), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain
Bench: Soumya Sarkar, Amite Hasan, Khaled Ahmed, Jaker Ali, Musfik Hasan
Support Staff: Mushtaq Ahmed, Shaun Tait, James Pamment, Phil Simmons, Mohammad Ashraful