Mitchell Starc Breaks Rangana Herath’s Record, Creates Test Cricket History

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc created Test cricket history on the opening day of the Darwin Test against Bangladesh by surpassing Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath to become the most successful left-arm bowler in the history of the format. Starc reached the landmark after dismissing Shadnan Islam, taking his Test wicket tally to 434 and moving past Herath's 433. The achievement adds another major milestone to the Australian pacer's decorated international career.

Starc's record-breaking wicket came during Bangladesh's reply after Australia were dismissed for 198 in their first innings. The left-arm quick needed just one wicket to overtake Herath's record and achieved the feat when he removed Shadnan. Herath, one of Sri Lanka's most successful Test bowlers, had previously held the record with 433 wickets. Starc's latest milestone makes him the leading left-handed wicket-taker in Test cricket, underlining his long-standing impact across Australia's red-ball campaigns.

Australia had a difficult opening day after choosing to bat first. The hosts made a promising start through Travis Head and Jake Weatherald, who put together a 45-run opening partnership. Head scored 22 while Weatherald contributed 23, but Australia soon lost wickets in clusters and struggled to build substantial partnerships. Steve Smith provided the main resistance with a patient 71 from 109 deliveries, including seven fours and a six, but the rest of the batting line-up could not provide enough support.

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Australia's total of 198 became their lowest-ever Test score against Bangladesh. The previous lowest had been 217, scored by Australia in Mirpur in 2017. The early collapse therefore gave Bangladesh's bowlers a significant boost and placed the visitors in a strong position after the first innings. Australia's inability to convert starts into partnerships left the hosts with a below-par total despite Smith's substantial contribution.

Bangladesh also enjoyed a historic day with the ball. Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud recorded the best figures by a Bangladeshi bowler against Australia in Test cricket, surpassing the previous benchmark of 5/62 recorded by Mohammad Rafique at Fatullah in 2006. Hasan's performance played a major role in dismantling Australia's batting order and restricting the hosts to their lowest Test total against Bangladesh.

The day also brought another milestone for Bangladesh as Taskin Ahmed completed 300 international wickets. With Hasan producing a record performance against Australia and Taskin reaching his personal landmark, Bangladesh's bowlers dominated much of the opening day. For Starc, however, the defining moment was his 434th Test wicket, which moved him beyond Herath and established him as the most successful left-arm bowler in Test history.

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