7 Most Successful left-Arm Pacers In Test cricket: Mitchell Starc’s electrifying spell in the opening Test of the 2025 Ashes, in which he captured 7 for 58, has brought into sharp focus once again his standing as one of the best left-arm fast bowlers in the history of Test cricket. The haul rocketed Starc to 412 Test wickets and within just six of overtaking the record-holding number for most wickets by a left-arm pacer, Wasim Akram’s iconic 414.
7 Most Successful left-Arm Pacers In Test cricket
1. Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – A total of 414 wickets taken during a career between 1985 and 2002, with an average of 23.62 and a strike rate of 54.6.
He is widely recognised as being the world’s premier left-arm fast bowler who transformed the art of seam bowling by mastering the skills of Late Swing and Reverse Swing with such precision that it revolutionised this discipline.
The fact that he could produce sensational levels of acceleration year-round, at virtually every type of cricket venue, established him as one of cricket’s most adaptable, productive and intimidating pace bowlers. Akram’s longevity as a successful pace bowler resulted in him taking more than 400 Test wickets, a total that would remain a record for more than two decades.
2. Mitchell Starc (Australia) – 412 Wickets
Career: 2011–2025
Average: 26.70
Strike Rate: 46.8
For more than ten years, Mitchell Starc has been Australia’s primary attacking bowler. He is renowned for his extraordinary bowling speed, exceptional ability for ‘Yorker’ deliveries as well as his capacity to create bounce from difficult angles. Starc has an astonishing Test strike rate and possesses a unique ability to break significant batting partnerships and swing matches towards Australia.
Although he has had some injuries throughout his career, Starc continues to be a match-winning player, especially in critical moments of matches.
His recent 7-wicket performance during a Test match played at Perth puts him close to matching Wasim Akram for total number of overall Test wickets for left-arm fast bowlers. If he stays healthy, Starc should easily surpass Wasim Akram and sit atop the all-time wicket totals for left-arm fast bowlers.
3. Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka) – 355 Wickets
Career: 1994-2009
Average: 29.58
Strike Rate: 66.0
Vaas has always been Sri Lanka’s best fast bowler: reliant on good length, plenty of swing with the new ball, and the ability to seam it off the pitch. His accuracy and discipline allowed him to prosper everywhere and take up a prominent role as Sri Lanka’s pace spearhead for more than a decade.
4. Trent Boult (New Zealand) – 317 Wickets
Career: 2011-2022
Average: 27.49
Strike Rate: 54.9
Trent Boult’s smooth action and vicious late outswing made him one of the most aesthetically-pleasing fast bowlers of his generation. Part of New Zealand’s golden era, Boult consistently dismantled top orders and formed a prolific partnership with Tim Southee.
5. Mitchell Johnson (Australia) – 313 Wickets
Career: 2007-2015
Average: 28.40
Strike Rate: 51.1
In his prime, Mitchell Johnson was fearsome. His 2013–14 Ashes dominance remains one of the most destructive fast-bowling displays ever watched. It would get some of the world’s elite batters uncomfortable at times with his raw pace, bounce, and hostility. Though at times inconsistent, his highs were historic.
6. Zaheer Khan (India) – 311 Wickets
Career: 2000-2014
Average: 32.94
Strike Rate: 60.4
Zaheer Khan changed the pace bowling blueprint for India. Capable of moving the ball either way and reading batsmen’s weaknesses, Zaheer became an invaluable part of overseas tours. There was also much tactical intelligence as India rose to the top of the Test rankings in the early 2010s.
7. Neil Wagner (New Zealand) – 260 Wickets
Career: 2012-2024
Average: 27.57
Strike Rate: 52.7
Neil Wagner will be remembered for being the ultimate workaholic, using his relentless short-ball strategy, along with tireless energy, to break up partnerships by simply continuing to bowl and put pressure on the batsmen. The way he bowls is not standard, but this has helped him become one of New Zealand’s most important Test bowlers.
When Will Mitchell Starc Break Wasim Akram’s Record?
With Mitchell Starc only six wickets away, he might end up moving past Wasim Akram in the next Test match-or at the most within the next one or two games, assuming he remains injury-free.
Given his form and ability to come up with game-changing spells, it’s almost a dead certainty that Starc will soon be able to claim: “The most successful left-arm fast bowler in the history of Test cricket.”
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