As Starc celebrates this landmark, here’s a look at his five best bowling figures in Test cricket:
5. 6/66 vs Pakistan – Adelaide, 2019
During Australia’s tour of Pakistan, Starc dismantled the hosts in the second day/night Test. Following Australia’s massive first-innings total of 589, Starc removed key batsmen including Babar Azam (97), Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Shaheen Afridi. He finished with 6/66 from 25 overs, including six maidens at an economy of 2.64, helping Australia secure an innings and 48-run victory.
4. 6/50 vs Sri Lanka – Galle, 2016
In the second Test at Galle, Starc was unstoppable on a slow pitch. He dismissed Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis early and later used reverse swing to remove Dilruwan Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva. Starc ended with 6/50 in 12.3 overs, including one maiden. Despite Australia losing the match, Starc claimed 11 wickets across both innings.
3. 6/48 vs India – Adelaide, 2024
Starc tormented India with the pink ball in December 2024. He struck first ball dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal and went on to remove KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Reddy, Ashwin, and Rana. His 6/48 in 14.1 overs, including two maidens at an economy of 3.38, helped Australia win the Test by 10 wickets in a high-stakes Border-Gavaskar series.
2. 6/9 vs West Indies – Kingston, 2025
Defending 204, Starc decimated the West Indies in Kingston. He dismissed John Campbell on the first ball, followed by Mikyle Louis, Kevlon Anderson, and Brandon King, finishing with 6/9 in just 7.3 overs. His devastating spell bowled out the Windies for 27, securing a 176-run win and marking one of the most economical and lethal spells in recent memory.
1. 7/58 vs England – Perth, 2025
Starc’s masterpiece came in the Ashes opener at Perth. With Cummins and Hazlewood sidelined, Starc led the attack brilliantly. He dismissed Zak Crawley in the first over, sent back Joe Root on a 7-ball duck, removed Ben Stokes for six, and finished with Mark Wood as the final wicket. Starc’s 7/58 from 12.5 overs, including four maidens at a 4.50 economy, became the best bowling figure of his illustrious Test career.
