One of the world’s premier pacers, Mitchell Starc has become the No. 1 ICC Test bowler for the first time in his career. The ICC revealed this news on Wednesday as it announced the latest ICC Test bowler rankings.
Starc replaced Jasprit Bumrah as the No. 1 Test bowler following his performance against Bangladesh in the two-Test series, which coincided with Bumrah’s absence from the India vs Sri Lanka Test series in Sri Lanka.
The 36-year-old Starc has achieved great things in his 107-Test career, but had never conquered the peak of the ICC Test bowling rankings, which had been hogged by Bumrah for the significant part of the last two years.
Mitchell Starc has been in outstanding form in recent years
Since November 2024, the left-arm speedster has taken the most wickets in Test cricket: 84 wickets in 18 Tests at an average of 19.47, including five 5-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket match hauls.
The second-most successful bowler in this period is Mohammed Siraj, who is a distance behind Starc with 64 wickets. Bumrah has operated in his own stratosphere – 61 wickets in 12 Tests at an average of 17.57 – but has missed matches due to injuries and rest.
Starc played a key role for Australia against India in the BGT 2024-25, taking 18 wickets in 5 Tests, and elevated to a staggering level in the Ashes 2025/26, where he led Australia’s bowling attack in the partial absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, claiming 31 wickets in 5 matches.
In the 3 Tests in West Indies last year, he bagged 15 wickets, including a stunning bowling performance of 6/9. In the most recent Test series against Bangladesh at home, Starc picked 10 wickets in the 2nd Test, helping Australia level the series. The southpaw bagged Man of the Series awards in the Ashes and in the series against Bangladesh.
Starc moved from the third spot to the numero uno position in the ICC bowlers rankings, pushing Bumrah and Matt Henry down by one spot each.
Harry Brook retains his place at No. 1 ICC Test batsman
England’s batting sensation Harry Brook has retained his spot at the top of the ICC batsmen ranking, following his knock of 91 in the first Test against Pakistan. Joe Root, who has been given the England reins once again, has maintained his position behind Brook with his knock of 66.
However, Steve Smith is closing in on both Root and Brook, having managed scores of 71, 44, and 44 against Bangladesh.
India’s Rishabh Pant made huge gains in the ICC Test batting ranking. Pant blasted 66 against Sri Lanka in Galle, and on the back of that blazing knock he jumped six spaces to join Shubman Gill in the 7th position.
Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja remains the No. 1 ICC Test all-rounder, holding a massive lead of 84 points over the second-placed Marco Jansen.
ICC Test bowlers ranking:
- Mitchell Starc – 872
- Jasprit Bumrah – 862
- Matt Henry – 861
- Pat Cummins – 841
- Marco Jansen – 825
ICC Test batsmen ranking:
- Harry Brook – 874
- Joe Root – 850
- Steve Smith – 840
- Travis Head – 811
- Temba Bavuma – 775
ICC Test all-rounders ranking:
- Ravindra Jadeja – 428
- Marco Jansen – 344
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz – 314
- Mitchell Starc – 276
- Wiaan Mulder – 245
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