Mitchell Starc Makes History with 100th Ashes Wicket

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc made history on October 6, 2023, by becoming the first left-arm fast bowler to claim 100 wickets in the Ashes series. This landmark achievement occurred during the first session of the opening Test against England at Optus Stadium in Perth. Starc’s remarkable performance swiftly dismantled the English top order, leaving them struggling at 105 for 4 by the end of the session.

Starc’s Fiery Spell

Starc ignited the day’s play with an explosive opening spell, taking three crucial wickets. He struck in his very first over, dismissing Zak Crawley, who edged the ball to Usman Khawaja at slip without scoring. This early breakthrough set the tone for a challenging innings for the English side.

Following Crawley’s dismissal, Starc quickly removed Ben Duckett, trapping him leg-before-wicket for 21 runs, and then added the prized wicket of Joe Root, who fell for a duck after just seven balls. Starc’s figures at the end of the session stood at three wickets for 24 runs, with an impressive economy rate of three runs per over.

The veteran bowler, now 36, consistently bowled at speeds exceeding 140 kilometers per hour. His exceptional fitness and dedication to Test cricket have enabled him to maintain a high level of performance, even as he approaches the latter stages of his career. Starc is now the 21st bowler overall to reach the milestone of 100 Ashes wickets, boasting a strike rate of 45.03, the best among this elite group.

England’s Top Order Collapses

At the conclusion of the first session, England’s batting line-up was in disarray. After opting to bat first, they found themselves on the back foot early on. In addition to Starc’s critical wickets, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes were left to rebuild the innings, remaining unbeaten at 28 and 4 runs respectively.

Duckett and Ollie Pope initially attempted to stabilize the innings, contributing a partnership of 33 runs. However, once Starc struck again, taking Root’s wicket, the pressure mounted significantly. England’s position deteriorated further as they struggled to cope with the pace and precision of the Australian bowlers.

Despite a brief spell of resistance from Pope, who scored 46 runs off 58 balls, England’s batting was characterized by inconsistency and vulnerability against Starc’s relentless attack. The English team reached 94 runs before Pope was dismissed, leaving them in a precarious situation.

As the first session closed, Starc’s historical achievement was celebrated, but the focus remained on the challenges that lay ahead for the English side. The team concluded the session at 105 for 4, with their hopes resting on the shoulders of Brook and Stokes.

The opening day of the Ashes series promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Starc leading the charge for Australia. As the match progresses, the implications of this historic wicket will resonate throughout the series, marking an important milestone in Ashes history.