Ashes: Mitchell Starc completes 24 first-over wickets in Tests
What's the story
Mitchell Starc, Australia's left-arm fast bowler, has once again proven his prowess by dismissing Zak Crawley in the first over of the Ashes 2025-26 series. The incident occurred during Day 1 of the first Test match at Perth's Optus Stadium. This was Starc's seventh wicket in the opening over of a Test match and his 24th scalp in the first over of an innings. Here are further details.
Match strategy
Starc's strategic bowling leads to early wicket
Starc bowled a delivery outside off stump that wasn't intended for driving. However, Crawley went for it and ended up edging the ball straight to Usman Khawaja in the slips. Although Khawaja seemed to fumble at first, he managed to hold onto the catch, giving Australia a perfect start. This was Starc's 24th first-over wicket in Tests and 15th since 2015.
Record holder
Starc's 1st-over wicket tally in Tests
Starc now leads the pack with 24 wickets in the first over of an innings since his debut, as per Cricbuzz. He is followed by England's James Anderson (19) and West Indies's Kemar Roach (10). Starc's ability to strike early has been a major asset for Australia, especially in high-stakes series like The Ashes. He had famously dismissed Rory Burns in the first ball of Ashes 2021-22.
Match momentum
Starc's early strike sets tone for Australia
Starc's early wicket set the tone for Australia in the first Test of the five-match series. Just five overs later, he was at it again, having Ben Duckett caught plumb in front of the wicket. Duckett had to walk back after scoring 21 off 20 balls. Talismanic batter Joe Root, who bagged a seven-ball duck, was his third victim. Notably, Starc is leading Australia's attack in this Test as Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are both injured.
Stats
100 wickets in the Ashes
With his third scalp, Starc became the first left-arm pacer to complete 100 wickets in Ashes history. No other left-arm pacer even boasts 90 Ashes wickets as Mitchell Johnson follows Starc with 87 scalps. Playing his 23rd Test against England as per ESPNcricinfo, Starc has completed 100 wickets at 26-plus. Overall in Tests, Starc has raced past 404 wickets from 101 Tests at 27-plus. He owns 16 five-wicket hauls and 20 four-fers.