The grand finale of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 kicked off at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground with a blockbuster clash between defending champions Australia and South Africa. On Day 1 of the high-stakes encounter, Australia’s left-arm pace sensation Mitchell Starc delivered a sensational performance that not only rattled the Proteas’ top order but also etched his name into cricketing history.

Starc, known for his fiery pace and deadly swing, claimed his 384th Test wicket in the first innings, overtaking none other than England’s legendary all-rounder Sir Ian Botham on the list of highest wicket-takers in Test cricket.

Starc Surpasses a Legend

The 69-year-old Sir Ian Botham, one of the finest cricketers of his era, picked up 383 wickets in 102 Tests for England between 1977 and 1992. With an average of 28.40 over 168 innings, Botham’s bowling exploits set a benchmark for generations to come.

But that benchmark has now been passed.

As Mitchell Starc dismissed his second South African batter on Day 1 at Lord’s, he moved to 384 wickets from just 97 Tests — achieving the feat in 185 innings at an impressive average of 27.45. With this, he officially entered the top 20 list of all-time leading wicket-takers in Test cricket.

Starc’s Remarkable Test Journey

Since making his Test debut in 2011, Mitchell Starc has been a cornerstone of Australia’s bowling attack. His combination of sheer pace, lethal yorkers, and ability to reverse swing the old ball has made him a constant threat to the world’s best batters.

In his 97-match Test career so far, Starc has:

Taken 384 wickets in 185 innings

Maintained an average of 27.45

Registered 15 five-wicket hauls and 2 ten-wicket match hauls

Achieved best bowling figures of 6/48 in an innings

Not Just a Bowler – A Handy Batter Too

Starc has also proven to be a reliable lower-order batter. He has scored 2,218 runs in 140 innings, averaging nearly 20 (19.98) — with 10 half-centuries to his name. His ability to add crucial runs down the order has often been a bonus for Australia in tight contests.

Chasing the Greats

While Starc’s achievement of surpassing Ian Botham is a historic milestone, he still has a long way to go to catch up with the highest wicket-taker in the history of Test cricket — the legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

Between 1992 and 2010, Muralitharan played 133 Tests and scalped a staggering 800 wickets from 230 innings at an average of 22.72. His record includes 22 ten-wicket hauls and 67 five-wicket hauls, making him the undisputed king of spin — and wickets.

What’s Next for Starc?

As the World Test Championship final unfolds, Starc’s red-hot form will be key to Australia’s hopes of defending their crown. With several years of cricket still ahead of him, there’s every chance that the fiery left-armer could climb even higher on the list of all-time greats.

For now, Mitchell Starc can proudly reflect on a day where he not only delivered for his team on the biggest stage but also cemented his place among the legends of the longest format of the game.