Mitchell Starc Creates History: Overtakes Rangana Herath to Become Most Successful Left-Arm Test Bowler
Mitchell Starc has created history in Test cricket. The Australian fast bowler became the most successful left-arm bowler in Test history after claiming his 434th wicket against Bangladesh in the first Test in Darwin on August 13, 2026.
Starc surpassed Sri Lankan spin legend Rangana Herath, who finished his Test career with 433 wickets. The milestone further strengthens Starc’s place among the greatest fast bowlers of his generation.
How did Mitchell Starc break the Test record?
Starc reached the landmark during Australia’s first Test against Bangladesh at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin.
He dismissed Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam, taking his Test wicket tally to 434 and moving past Herath’s 433 wickets.
The wicket was particularly significant because it made Starc the outright leading wicket-taker among all left-arm bowlers in Test cricket.
How many Test wickets does Mitchell Starc have now?
Mitchell Starc now has 434 Test wickets.
Before the Bangladesh Test, Starc was level with or just behind the record held by Rangana Herath. His wicket of Shadman Islam moved him to the top of the list with 434 wickets.
Most Test wickets by left-arm bowlers
| Rank | Bowler | Test wickets |
| 1 | Mitchell Starc | 434 |
| 2 | Rangana Herath | 433 |
| 3 | Chaminda Vaas | 355 |
| 4 | Mitchell Johnson | 313 |
| 5 | Wasim Akram | 414* |
The ranking depends on whether all left-arm bowlers or specific left-arm fast bowlers are being compared; Starc’s latest achievement is specifically the overall left-arm Test-bowling record.
Who held the record before Mitchell Starc?
The record previously belonged to Rangana Herath of Sri Lanka.
Herath finished his Test career with 433 wickets, making him the most successful left-arm bowler in Test history for several years.
Starc’s 434th wicket against Bangladesh finally moved him beyond the Sri Lankan great.
What makes Starc’s achievement special?
Starc’s achievement is significant because he has reached the record primarily through fast bowling, while Herath was a left-arm orthodox spinner.
Starc has combined pace, swing, bounce and his trademark yorkers throughout his career to become one of Australia’s most successful Test bowlers.
His latest milestone also comes after he crossed the 400-Test-wicket mark in 2025, showing how quickly he has continued to add to his tally in the latter part of his career.
How did Australia perform against Bangladesh?
The historic moment came on a difficult opening day for Australia.
Bangladesh bowled Australia out for just 198 runs, with Hasan Mahmud producing outstanding figures of 6/55. Steve Smith was Australia’s main resistance with a fighting 71.
Bangladesh then ended the opening day strongly at 96/1, putting themselves in a promising position in the Test.
Despite Australia’s batting struggles, Starc’s record-breaking wicket provided one of the biggest individual highlights of the day.
Is Mitchell Starc now the greatest left-arm bowler in Test history?
Statistically, Starc is now the leading left-arm wicket-taker in Test cricket, having surpassed Herath’s 433 wickets.
Whether he is considered the greatest left-arm bowler overall remains subjective because players such as Wasim Akram, Chaminda Vaas and Rangana Herath achieved remarkable records in different conditions and eras.
However, in terms of Test wickets, Starc now stands alone at the top of the left-arm list.
What is next for Mitchell Starc?
Starc’s focus will now turn to helping Australia recover in the ongoing Test against Bangladesh.
The record is another major achievement in a career that already includes World Cup success and more than 400 Test wickets.
At 434 wickets, Starc is also moving closer to the highest wicket-taking group in Test history across all bowling styles.
Mitchell Starc Test Record: Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Player | Mitchell Starc |
| Team | Australia |
| Bowling style | Left-arm fast |
| Landmark | 434th Test wicket |
| Previous record holder | Rangana Herath |
| Herath’s wickets | 433 |
| Record broken against | Bangladesh |
| Venue | Darwin |
| Match | Australia vs Bangladesh, 1st Test |
| Historic achievement | Most Test wickets by a left-arm bowler |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Test wickets does Mitchell Starc have?
Mitchell Starc has reached 434 Test wickets after dismissing Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam in Darwin.
Whose record did Mitchell Starc break?
Starc broke Rangana Herath’s record of 433 Test wickets to become the most successful left-arm bowler in Test cricket.
Who is the highest wicket-taker among left-arm bowlers in Tests?
Mitchell Starc is now the highest wicket-taker among left-arm bowlers in Test cricket, with 434 wickets.
When did Mitchell Starc break the record?
Starc broke the record on August 13, 2026, during Australia’s first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin.
Which Bangladesh batter gave Starc his record-breaking wicket?
Starc reached 434 wickets by dismissing Shadman Islam during the first Test in Darwin.
Did Starc surpass Rangana Herath?
Yes. Starc moved past Herath’s 433 wickets and now holds the left-arm Test bowling record with 434 wickets.
Bottom Line
Mitchell Starc has entered another chapter of Test cricket history. His dismissal of Shadman Islam took him to 434 Test wickets, allowing him to surpass Rangana Herath’s long-standing record of 433.
The achievement is especially notable because Starc has reached the summit as a left-arm fast bowler, combining extreme pace with movement and accuracy.
With his wicket tally continuing to rise, the Australian pacer now has another major record to add to an already extraordinary international career.