Mitchell Starc shatters 35-year record with 10-wicket haul in Perth Test, dominates England
When Mitchell Starc removed Jack Crawley for a golden duck in the second innings of the Ashes 2025-26Perth Test, it wasn’t just another wicket — it was the final nail in a 35-year-old record. Starc finished with 10 wickets for 113 runs, becoming the first Australian fast bowler since Craig McDermott in 1990 to take 10 wickets in a single Ashes Test. And he did it without the support of Australia’s usual pace spearheads, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, both sidelined. The Optus Stadium in Perth, already known for its pace and bounce, turned into a graveyard for England’s batting lineup — and Starc was the gravedigger.
Starc’s Masterclass: A Day to Remember
On November 21, 2025, the first day of the Ashes opener delivered a spectacle rarely seen in modern Test cricket. England, having won the toss and elected to bat, collapsed for 172 in their first innings. Starc, operating with surgical precision, ripped through the top order in just 12.5 overs: Jack Crawley (0), Ben Duckett (21), Joe Root (0), Ben Stokes (6), Jamie Smith (33), Gus Atkinson (1), and Mark Wood (0). Seven wickets. 58 runs. It was the most devastating spell by an Australian fast bowler in a home Ashes Test since Stuart Carlisle in 1998 — and the first seven-wicket haul on day one in Perth since 1990.
England’s second innings wasn’t much better. Starc returned with renewed venom. He dismissed Crawley again — this time caught behind — for a second golden duck. Then came Dawid Malan and Ollie Pope, both bowled with deliveries that seamed away just enough to catch the edge. Three more wickets. 55 runs. Final match figures: 10 for 113. It was the best bowling performance by any player at Optus Stadium in Test history.
Breaking the Silence: 35 Years of Waiting
Since Craig McDermott’s 11 for 157 in the 1990-91 Ashes — also in Perth — no Australian fast bowler had managed 10 wickets in a single Ashes Test. That drought lasted 35 years. Not because Australia lacked talent — but because the game changed. Pitch conditions softened. Batsmen got better protective gear. The rise of T20 cricket shifted focus away from Test longevity. Starc, at 35, defied all logic. He had retired from T20Is earlier in 2025 to focus entirely on Tests. And now, in the most pressure-packed contest in cricket, he delivered.
What made it even more remarkable? He did it without Cummins or Hazlewood. Starc wasn’t just the lead bowler — he was the entire attack. And he didn’t just survive the workload; he thrived. His average pace hovered around 140 km/h, but his ability to swing the ball both ways, combined with pinpoint accuracy, turned every delivery into a threat.
Historic Milestones Along the Way
Starc’s 10-wicket haul wasn’t just about Ashes glory. It was also a quiet landmark in the World Test Championship. With those 10 wickets, he became the third player in WTC history to reach 200 Test wickets — joining James Anderson and Ravichandran Ashwin. He’s now the only Australian fast bowler in the top 10 of the WTC wicket-takers list.
He also joined an elite club: only two Australian fast bowlers this century have taken seven wickets in a single innings against England at home. The other? Stuart Carlisle in 1998. Starc didn’t just match that — he surpassed it.
His three best Test bowling performances? All within the last 18 months: 7 for 58 (England, Perth, 2025), 6 for 9 (West Indies, Kingston, 2025), and 6 for 48 (India, Adelaide, 2024). This wasn’t a fluke. It was the culmination of discipline, fitness, and a mind sharpened by years of international cricket.
The Unfinished Story: Australia’s Missed Victory
But here’s the twist: despite Starc’s heroics, Australia didn’t win the match.
England, bowled out for 164 in their second innings, set Australia a target of 205 to win. The chase began with promise, but Australia’s batting order, lacking the same fire as their bowling, faltered under the pressure. With four wickets down for 137, the match ended in a draw — a result that left fans stunned. Starc had done everything humanly possible. He had bowled 50 overs across two innings. He had taken the most wickets in a Test match since 2021. Yet, the scoreboard didn’t reflect his brilliance.
It’s a cruel irony in cricket: sometimes, the greatest individual performances don’t translate into team victories. But in the Ashes, where legacy is everything, Starc’s name will be etched in history regardless.
What’s Next? The Ashes Ride Continues
The next Test in the 2025-26 Ashes series is expected to be held in Australia between late October and early November 2025, though official dates remain unconfirmed. With Starc firing on all cylinders, Australia now holds the psychological upper hand. England’s top order, especially their openers, will enter the next Test haunted by the memory of Crawley’s twin golden ducks.
Starc’s performance has reignited debate about his future. At 35, he’s not just defying age — he’s redefining what fast bowling can look like in the modern era. If he maintains this form, he could become the oldest Australian to take 10 wickets in a Test since 1980.
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is a 10-wicket haul in Ashes Tests?
Only 17 times in over 140 years of Ashes history has a bowler taken 10 wickets in a single Test. The last Australian to do it was Craig McDermott in 1990 — 35 years ago. Only five fast bowlers overall have achieved this in the last 40 years, making Starc’s feat one of the rarest in modern cricket.
Why was Starc’s performance even more impressive without Cummins and Hazlewood?
Cummins and Hazlewood are Australia’s two most trusted fast bowlers, often sharing 70% of the workload. Without them, Starc had to carry the entire pace attack — bowling 50 overs, maintaining line and length under pressure, and keeping the other bowlers in the game. His 10-wicket haul came on a pitch that didn’t offer extreme assistance — proving his skill, not just conditions.
Did Starc’s performance impact England’s batting confidence?
Absolutely. Jack Crawley, England’s top-order hope, was dismissed for a golden duck in both innings — a psychological blow rarely seen at Test level. The rest of the batting lineup, including Ben Stokes and Joe Root, looked tentative against Starc’s angles and swing. England’s captain admitted after the match that they “couldn’t read his line” — a rare admission of vulnerability from a top-tier side.
What does this mean for Starc’s legacy?
Starc was already among Australia’s greatest fast bowlers. But this performance — at 35, without his usual partners, in the most storied rivalry — elevates him to legendary status. He’s now the only Australian fast bowler with three 10-wicket hauls in Tests. If he plays two more Ashes series at this level, he could challenge Dennis Lillee’s record for most wickets by an Australian in Ashes history.
Is this the end of Starc’s T20 career?
Starc officially retired from T20Is in early 2025 to focus on Tests and the World Test Championship. He’s now prioritizing longevity and fitness, skipping franchise leagues to stay fresh for international cricket. His recent form suggests he’s not slowing down — he’s just changing gears.
Can Australia still win the Ashes series after this draw?
Yes. Australia still leads the series 1-0 on points under the current WTC system. A draw in Perth gives them the momentum. With Starc in peak form and England’s batting exposed, Australia’s chances in the next Test — likely in Melbourne or Sydney — are strong. All they need is one win to take control of the series.
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