Since making his debut in 2011, Mitchell Starc has become a cornerstone of Australia’s bowling attack. With over 360 Test wickets to his name, he has surpassed iconic Australian pacers like Brett Lee, Dennis Lillee, and Mitchell Johnson in the all-time wickets tally. Starc’s greatest strength lies in his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations.
The tall left-arm quick was Australia’s leading wicket-taker during their victorious 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign and again in the 2019 edition. His brilliance extends to Test cricket, where his lethal combination of pace, swing, and accuracy makes him a formidable force. In conditions that favor his bowling style, Starc can dismantle batting line-ups within a matter of overs, underlining his status as one of the most impactful bowlers of his generation.
Top five best bowling figures by Mitchell Starc in test cricket:
5. 6/154 vs South Africa, Perth, 2012
Starc showcased his magic with the ball during the Perth test against South Africa in 2012. In the first innings, South Africa were bundled out for 225 runs, to which Australia replied with 163 runs. In the second innings, Starc was the only bright spot in a disappointing bowling performance for Australia as the visitors piled up a mammoth total of 569 runs. Starc registered 6/154, including the wickets Jacques Kallis and AB de Villers. South Africa won the game comfortably by 309 runs on the fourth day.
4. 6/111 vs England, Nottingham, 2015
Starc produced an unplayable spell of 6/111 against England in Nottingham during the fourth test of the 2015 Ashes series. The tall left-armer burst open the English top order to knock the hosts out for 391 runs in the first innings.
Despite Starc’s heroic effort, Australia lost the game by an innings and 78 runs. He was one of the most successful bowlers for Australia in their disappointing 2015 Ashes series.
3. 6/66 vs Pakistan, Adelaide, 2019
Starc produced a match-winning performance against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval in 2019. The hosts bowled out Pakistan for 302 runs after posting 589 runs in their first innings.
Starc was the star for Australia with the ball, picking up 6/66 in 25 overs. Starc dismissed key Pakistani batsmen including Babar Azam. Australia won the test by an innings and 48 runs.
2. 6/50 vs Sri Lanka, Galle, 2016
Starc produced a memorable bowling performance in Galle on the 2016 tour of Sri Lanka. Trailing by 175 runs in the first innings, Starc inspired Australia, picking up 6/50 in 13 overs during the second innings of the game.
The speedster claimed a remarkable haul of 11 wickets in the match. Despite Starc’s terrific performance, Australia suffered a heavy defeat, losing the game by a big margin of 229 runs.
1. 6/48 vs India, Adelaide, 2024
Mitchell Starc registered his career-best innings bowling figures in test cricket of 6/48 in the day-night test match between India and Australia in Adelaide in December 2024.
The left-arm seamer dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal on the first ball of the match. He then got rid of KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, and Harshit Rana to complete his five-for. Starc took Nitish Kumar Reddy’s wicket to record his best bowling figures in an innings in tests. Through Starc’s efforts, Australia managed to bowl India out for 180 runs.
| Match | Opponent | Venue | Year | Starc’s Bowling Figures | Key Wickets | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perth Test | South Africa | Perth, Australia | 2012 | 6/154 | Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers | South Africa won by 309 runs |
| Nottingham, 4th Test, Ashes | England | Nottingham, England | 2015 | 6/111 | Top-order wickets | England won by an innings and 78 runs |
| Adelaide Oval Test | Pakistan | Adelaide, Australia | 2019 | 6/66 | Babar Azam, key middle-order wickets | Australia won by an innings and 48 runs |
| Galle Test | Sri Lanka | Galle, Sri Lanka | 2016 | 6/50 (2nd innings), 11 wkts in match | Top-order and middle-order wickets | Sri Lanka won by 229 runs |
| Adelaide Day-Night Test | India | Adelaide, Australia | 2024 | 6/48 | Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli | Match ongoing/Undisclosed outcome (as per input) |