Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc continued his remarkable Ashes form during the fifth Test against England in Sydney, delivering another decisive performance with the ball. Starc claimed two crucial wickets in England’s first innings, striking on Day 1 to tilt the momentum firmly in Australia’s favour.
His scalps included opener Ben Duckett and England captain Ben Stokes, both dismissals highlighting Starc’s ability to deliver breakthroughs at key moments. The left-armer’s pace, bounce and relentless accuracy once again proved difficult for England’s batters to handle on a surface offering assistance early on.
Record Against Ben Stokes and Ashwin Surpassed
With the dismissal of Stokes, Starc achieved a unique Test cricket milestone. The Australian fast bowler has now dismissed Ben Stokes 14 times in Test matches — the most by any bowler against the England all-rounder. This latest wicket was also the fifth time in the ongoing Ashes series that Starc managed to remove Stokes, underlining a clear matchup dominance across the contest.
In the process, Starc surpassed former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, who had previously held the record with 13 dismissals of Stokes in Test cricket. While Ashwin achieved his tally through guile, variations and spin-friendly conditions, Starc’s record has been built on raw pace, sharp angles and sustained pressure over multiple series.
Elite Company in an Exclusive List
Starc now sits at the top of a rare list featuring some of the game’s finest bowlers. Australian spinner Nathan Lyon is third on the same chart, having dismissed Stokes 10 times in Tests. The presence of both Starc and Lyon on this list reflects Australia’s long-term bowling dominance against England in red-ball cricket.
Beyond the numbers, the achievement reinforces Starc’s status as one of the most impactful fast bowlers of his generation. His consistency across formats and ability to trouble elite batters in high-pressure series like the Ashes continues to define his legacy. As the series progresses, Starc’s record-breaking feat adds another chapter to Australia’s stronghold over England — and further cements his place among modern Test cricket greats.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
