A Detailed Look at the Left-Hand Bowlers with Most Wickets in Test Cricket

Mitchell Starc became the highest wicket-taker by a left-arm fast bowler in Test cricket after moving past Wasim Akram’s 414 wickets. He reached 418 wickets during the second Ashes Test in Brisbane by dismissing Harry Brook. Starc achieved this in his 102nd Test, while Akram needed 104 matches for his tally.

Starc reached the top thanks to his career-best bowling figures of 7 for 58 in the first Test at Perth. With this milestone, he is now 16th on the overall Test wicket-takers list and is close to overtaking Harbhajan Singh on 417 and Shaun Pollock on 421. Richard Hadlee’s 431 wickets are the next major landmark ahead of him.

Wasim Akram congratulated Mitchell Starc for becoming the left-arm fast bowler with the most wickets in Test cricket. Starc reached 417 wickets during the day-night Ashes Test in Brisbane by removing Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook. Akram, who finished with 414 wickets in 104 Tests, praised Starc’s hard work and said he was proud to see him pass the record.

Starc now has 418 wickets in 102 Tests at an average of 26.53. His record includes 18 five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket match hauls. After overtaking Akram, he also collected another five-wicket haul in the ongoing Test, dismissing Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, Will Jacks, and Gus Atkinson.

List of left-hand Bowlers with Most Wickets in Test Cricket

Mitchell Starc leads all left-arm bowlers in Test history with 418 wickets. His Test career has run from 2011 to 2025, and he has taken those wickets in 102 matches. His best innings figures are 7 for 58, and his best match figures are 11 for 94. He averages 26.42 with the ball and has 18 five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket matches.

Wasim Akram is second with 414 wickets. He played from 1985 to 2002, taking his wickets in 104 matches. His best innings return is 7 for 119, and his best match figures are 11 for 110. He averaged 23.62 and finished with 25 five-wicket hauls and five ten-wicket matches.

Chaminda Vaas is third with 355 wickets. He played from 1994 to 2009, taking his wickets in 111 matches. He averaged 29.58 and had 12 five-wicket hauls.

Trent Boult played Test cricket for New Zealand from 2011 to 2022. He took 317 wickets in 78 matches and bowled 17,417 balls. His best match figures were 10 for 80. He took 10 five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul.

Mitchell Johnson played Test cricket for Australia from 2007 to 2015. He took 313 wickets in 73 matches and bowled 16,001 balls. His best innings figures were 8 for 61, and his best match figures were 12 for 127. He took 12 five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls.

Zaheer Khan played Test cricket for India from 2000 to 2014. He took 311 wickets in 92 matches and bowled 18,785 balls. His best innings figures were 7 for 87, and his best match figures were 10 for 149. He took 11 five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul.

Neil Wagner played Test cricket for New Zealand from 2012 to 2024. He took 260 wickets in 64 matches and bowled 13,725 balls. His best innings figures were 7 for 39, and his best match figures were 9 for 73. He took 9 five-wicket hauls.

Alan Davidson played for Australia from 1953 to 1963. He took 186 wickets in 44 matches and bowled 11,587 balls. His best innings figures were 7 for 93, and his best match figures were 12 for 124. He took 14 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket hauls.

FAQs

Q. Who is the No. 1 Test wicket-taker?

A. Muttiah Muralitharan is No. 1 with 800 Test wickets.

Q. Which left-arm seamer has the most wickets in tests?

A. Mitchell Starc is the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket after taking 418 wickets during the second Ashes Test.

Q. Is Mitchell Starc retiring?

A. Yes. Mitchell Starc announced his retirement from T20 International cricket on 2 September 2025.

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