Mitchell Starc vs Wasim Akram in Tests: Comparing their stats
What's the story
Talismanic Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has become the most successful left-arm fast bowler in Test cricket history. He achieved this feat on Thursday, during the second Ashes Test against England at The Gabba in Brisbane. Starc surpassed Pakistan legend Wasim Akram's record of 414 wickets. The Aussie pacer claimed six wickets (6/75) in the innings as the Brits posted 334/10 batting first. On this note, we compare Starc and Akram's stellar numbers in Test cricket.
Milestone achievement
Starc's journey to surpass Akram's record
Starc, who made his Test debut at The Gabba against New Zealand in 2011, is one of the only two left-arm pacers with over 400 Test wickets. The other being Akram, who played 104 matches to register a tally of 414 wickets. Starc took 102 games to surpass the Pakistan talisman's tally. He has now completed 418 Test wickets. With this achievement, Starc now sits at 15th place on the all-time wicket-takers list.
Average
Akram has a better average
While Akram has played most of his Tests on Pakistan soil, where tracks are more favorable to spin bowling, Starc has played majority of his games on pace-friendly Australian surfaces. Despite that, Akram's average (23.62) is significantly better than that of Starc (26.43), as per ESPNcricinfo. However, the latter scores over when it comes to strike rate. While Akram took a Test wicket after every 54.6 balls, Starc strikes at an average of 46.3.
Fifers
Who owns more fifers?
The one in the ongoing Brisbane game marked Starc's 18th fifer in Test cricket. Akram claimed at least five wickets 25 times in format. When it comes to four-wicket hauls, both bowlers are tied at 20 each. Akram again gets the score in terms of 10-wicket match hauls. While the Aussie has three such hauls, Akram has five.
Comparison
Track record in SENA and Asia Tests
333 of Starc's Test wickets have come in SENA nations (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia). His average in this regard is a fine 26.86. Akram has taken 146 wickets in these countries at a better average of 24.11. When it comes to games in Asia, where fast bowlers tend to struggle in Tests, Akram owns 216 wickets at a sensational average of 22.53. Starc's average in Asia rises to 28.75, where he owns 58 scalps.