Mitchell Starc Sets Historic Test Cricket Record With Fourth Opening-Ball Wicket
Australian pace bowler Mitchell Starc has created cricket history by claiming a wicket off the opening delivery of a Test match for the fourth time in his career. The historic moment occurred during the second Test against Bangladesh at Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena, establishing a milestone untouched across 149 years of the format.
What Happened
On the opening delivery of the second Test in Mackay, Starc dismissed Bangladesh opening batter Shadman Islam, who was caught in the gully region by Cameron Green. The breakthrough marked the fourth instance of Starc taking a wicket on the very first ball of a Test match.
Starc previously shared the record with former West Indian fast bowler Pedro Collins, who achieved three opening-ball dismissals during his career. Starc’s three prior first-ball dismissals took place against Dimuth Karunaratne in 2016, Rory Burns in 2021, and Yashasvi Jaiswal in 2024. With the dismissal of Shadman Islam, Starc now stands alone at the top of this statistical milestone in Test history.
Starc’s impact extended beyond the initial delivery. He collected a six-wicket haul that saw the Bangladeshi side dismissed for 64 runs. The performance also raised Starc’s total count of first-over wickets in Test cricket to 26.
Key Highlights
- New World Record: Starc is the only bowler in 149 years of Test cricket to dismiss a batter on the first ball of a match four times.
- Surpassing Pedro Collins: Starc broke a tie with West Indies bowler Pedro Collins, who held three opening-ball dismissals.
- List of Dismissals: The Australian quick previously dismissed Dimuth Karunaratne (2016), Rory Burns (2021), and Yashasvi Jaiswal (2024) with opening balls.
- Match Performance: Starc took six wickets in the innings, wrapping up Bangladesh’s total at 64.
- Chasing Anderson’s First-Over Tally: Starc’s first-over Test wicket count reached 26, trailing England pace bowler James Anderson’s record of 29 by three wickets.
- Historic Venue: The fixture marked the first Test match played at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.
Why This Matters
Setting this benchmark underscores Starc’s consistent opening impact across a 15-year international career. Commenting on his philosophy, Starc noted that his routine remains fundamental. According to remarks quoted by The West Australian, Starc stated: "Nothing has changed over 15 years. It is just run in and try and hit the stumps."
The accomplishment also highlighted how playing surfaces influence swing bowling. Contrasting the Mackay match with the previous game, Starc observed: "Clearly when the ball does move it creates opportunities. We saw when it was pretty flat last week (in the first Test in Darwin) and the ball was going straight it was pretty easy batting." Conditions at Mackay provided early movement, helping Starc convert opening deliveries into dismissals.
What to Watch Next
With 26 career wickets in the opening over of Test matches, Starc sits three wickets behind James Anderson’s all-time benchmark of 29. Observers will track whether Starc can close the gap and potentially match or surpass Anderson’s record in future Test fixtures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who held the previous record for most wickets on the first ball of a Test match?
Starc previously shared the record with West Indies bowler Pedro Collins, who took a wicket on the opening ball of a Test match on three occasions.
Which batters has Mitchell Starc dismissed on the first ball of a Test?
Starc has dismissed four batters on the opening delivery of a Test: Dimuth Karunaratne (2016), Rory Burns (2021), Yashasvi Jaiswal (2024), and Shadman Islam.
How many first-over Test wickets does Mitchell Starc have?
Starc has accumulated 26 wickets in the first over of Test matches, three behind the format record of 29 held by England’s James Anderson.
Source: CricTracker report citing match developments and quotes from The West Australian.