Australian speedster Mitchell Starc etched his name into the record books on Day 1 of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba, surpassing Pakistan legend Wasim Akram to become the left-arm pacer with the most Test wickets.
Starc, who began the match with 412 wickets, claimed a brilliant six-wicket haul to move to 418 wickets in 195 innings across 102 Tests.
Akram had finished his illustrious career with 414 wickets from 181 innings in 104 matches. Starc is also leading the wicket charts in the ongoing 2025–26 Ashes with 16 scalps.
Starc’s six-wicket burst at the Gabba
Starc dismantled England’s batting line-up with precision and pace. His victims included Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse, each falling to his relentless attacking lengths.
The veteran left-armer continued to trouble England throughout the day, proving why he remains one of the most dangerous red-ball bowlers of the era.
Joe Root scripts history with maiden Test century in Australia
England’s Joe Root stood tall amid the collapse, scoring his first-ever Test century on Australian soil. The former captain reached stumps unbeaten on 135, displaying remarkable composure and control. With this hundred, Root has completed 40 centuries in the longest format.
Day 1 stumps
England ended the day at 325/9 in 74 overs, with Joe Root unbeaten on 135* and Jofra Archer contributing a valuable 32*.
