Mitchell Starc's twilight peak: A late career surge like few others

At 35, an age when most fast bowlers are slowing down or retiring, Mitchell Starc is operating on a different level. He produced career-best figures of 7/58 on the opening day of the 2025/26 Ashes in Perth. His Test average and strike rate are currently at their best as he heads into the pink-ball Test at the Gabba. He also sits at a career-high ICC bowling ranking of fifth with 820 points.

Since the day-night Test against India in Adelaide last year, Starc has taken 51 wickets in 11 Tests at an average of 18, striking every 5.1 overs. This stretch marks the best phase of his career in terms of both average and strike rate.

He took 6/9 in his 100th Test in Kingston, then bettered it with 7/58 in Perth. Over 80% of his deliveries in Perth exceeded 140 kph.

By the end of the Perth Test, Starc's career Test average dipped to 26.64, the best it has ever been. Among fast bowlers with 300+ Test wickets, only Stuart Broad (144th Test) and Glenn McGrath (110th) reached their peak career average later than Starc (101st Test).

Flying under the radar in the Ashes

Much of the Ashes build-up centered around Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, leaving Starc somewhat overlooked. Despite being the most experienced of the trio and being left out of the starting XI in the previous two away Ashes series, the Perth Test reaffirmed his vital role, especially without the other senior quicks.

During the match, he became the 23rd bowler to reach 100 wickets in England-Australia Tests. He did so in 4488 balls, the second-fastest after Glenn McGrath's 4356. His strike rate of 43.0 is the best among bowlers with 100+ wickets in Ashes Tests.

Starc dismissed Joe Root and Ben Stokes in both innings. He has now removed Stokes 11 times at an average of 17.36. Heading into Brisbane, none of England's top seven average 40+ against Starc.

England's top seven vs Starc

Australia are masters of day-night Tests, having played 14 of the 24 such matches worldwide, winning all but one. Their lone defeat came at the Gabba against West Indies in early 2024. England have lost five of their seven day-night games, including all three Ashes pink-ball Tests.

Starc has played in all 14 of Australia's day-night Tests. His 81 wickets are nearly double the next best (Cummins' 43), and he averages 17.08 with a strike rate of 33.3. Brisbane's extended twilight periods favour fast bowlers.

Most wickets in Day-Night Tests

Sustaining success through the season

The challenge for Starc is maintaining form as the series progresses. Since the start of the 2020/21 home season, he has taken 56 wickets at 18.64 in 11 Tests pre-Christmas. But in 13 Tests played on and after Boxing Day, his average rises to 35.87. On the more benign surfaces of Melbourne and Sydney, he has struggled, taking 25 wickets at 37.72 in nine Tests since 2020/21.

Starc in home Tests since 2020/21

Approaching a historic milestone

Starc is closing in on a major milestone. He is just two wickets shy of surpassing Wasim Akram's 414 to become the highest wicket-taker among left-arm seamers in Test history.

Most wickets by left-arm seamers in Tests