Evergreen Mitchell Starc's prime after turning 35 is historic (Tests)
What's the story
Mitchell Starc, Australia's veteran left-arm pacer, has once again proved that age is just a number. The 36-year-old cricketer took a stunning 10 wickets in the second Test against Bangladesh, helping his team win by an innings and 51 runs within two days in Mackay. His match figures of 10/51 included a brilliant first-innings haul of 6/12 and four more wickets in Bangladesh's second innings. On this note, we look at Starc's stunning Test numbers after turning 35.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Longevity is a major issue in the career of fast bowlers owing to their massive workload.
High-speed running and sudden body twisting put heavy stress on the lower back, knees, and shoulders.
Hence, fast bowlers over 35, especially in Test cricket, often struggle to keep up.
However, Starc is a different case as the left-arm speedster has unlocked a shocking prime after his 35th birthday.
Stats
Starc only behind Barnes
Starc, who has been playing international cricket since October 2010, turned 35 on January 30 last year.
As per Cricinfo, the left-arm pacer has since scalped 66 wickets across 24 innings of 12 Tests at a jaw-dropping average of 17.43.
This is way lower than his career average of 26.12.
England's Sydney Barnes, who played his final game in 1914, is the only fast bowler to claim 50-plus Test wickets after his 35th birthday with a better average than Starc (14.8).
Impact
Starc in a different league
Starc and Barnes happen to be the only pacers to claim 50-plus scalps after turning 35 with a sub-20 average.
However, Test cricket was the only format to exist in Barnes's era.
Starc, who continues to clock over 140 KMPH, has been playing ODI cricket for Australia alongside two Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons in this period.
The pacer's fitness is even more jaw-dropping, considering that Australia's other two frontline pacers - Josh Hazlewood (35) and Pat Cummins (330 - have missed plenty of games in the last 12 months despite being younger than Starc.
Success
A menace with the new ball
Starc's new-ball brilliance has been the highlight of his Test career.
Since his 35th birthday, the pacer has claimed four fifers, including a career-best 7/58 in the Perth Ashes game last year.
Two of his fifers have come under 25 balls.
Last year, he became the bowler to claim the fastest fifer in Test history, off just 15 balls against West Indies.
In the aforementioned Bangladesh game, he reached the milestone off just 22 balls.
Ashes
A dream Ashes campaign
Starc was adjudged the Player of the Series as Australia thrashed England 4-1 in the 2025-26 home Ashes series.
He ended up with 31 wickets from 10 innings at an impressive average of 19.93, including two five-wicket hauls and a match haul of 10 wickets.
The pacer became just the fourth player to have taken 30-plus wickets in an Ashes series in the 21st century.
Player's perspective
Test cricket will always be the pinnacle for me: Starc
Despite his age, Starc's passion for Test cricket is as strong as ever.
"I thoroughly enjoy being part of this group. Test cricket, I have said it before, Tests will always be the pinnacle for me," he said after winning the Player of the Series award against Bangladesh.
This was his third POTS honor after his 35th birthday. The others came against West Indies (away) and England (home).
Career
Most Test wickets among left-arm bowlers
With his heroics in the aforementioned Bangladesh game, Starc has completed 445 wickets from 107 Tests at an average of 26.12.
He is the highest wicket-taker among left-arm bowlers and the 10th highest overall.
The one in Mackay was his 19th Test five-wicket haul. He also owns four 10-wicket match hauls.
While Starc has claimed 66 wickets since his 35th birthday, no other bowler has claimed even 57 scalps in this timeline.