Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc stole the spotlight during the Ashes, finishing the series with a massive 31 wickets. His brilliant run earned him the ICC Player of the Month award for December 2025, a reward that felt well deserved after his match-winning displays.
Australia completely outplayed England at home, sealing the Ashes with a convincing 4-1 series win. While the team effort was strong, much of the credit belonged to Starc, one of the most experienced players in the Australian setup, who stepped up when his team needed him most.
With Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood unavailable for the series, the responsibility of leading the pace attack fell squarely on Starc’s shoulders. Along with Scott Boland, he rose to the challenge and kept the English batters under constant pressure. Australia went on to win three matches in a row between November and December, setting the tone for a dominant series.
Mitchell Starc crowned ICC Player of the Month for December 2025
Mitchell Starc’s performances throughout December made him an easy choice for the ICC Player of the Month award. He set the standard right from the opening Test in Perth, where he tore through England’s batting lineup to claim 10 wickets.
He followed that up with another strong showing at the Gabba in Brisbane, picking up eight wickets with the pink ball. Starc then chipped in with four wickets each in Adelaide and Melbourne. By the end of December, he had taken 16 wickets and firmly stamped his authority on the series.
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Starc beat stiff competition for the award, finishing ahead of West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves, who scored his maiden double-century, and New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy, who grabbed 25 wickets against the West Indies.
Mitchell Starc shines throughout the Ashes with bat and ball
Across the full Ashes series, which ran from November through January, Mitchell Starc finished with an impressive 31 wickets. The 35-year-old was outstanding at every venue, taking 10 wickets in Perth, eight at the Gabba, four each in Adelaide and Melbourne, and five more across two innings in Sydney.
His impact was not limited to bowling alone. Starc also made valuable contributions with the bat, scoring two half-centuries. One came in Brisbane and the other in Adelaide, helping Australia build a commanding 3-0 lead and effectively seal the series early.
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“It’s an honour to be named the ICC Player of the Month, and even more special that it came on the back of such a successful home Ashes. To have played a part in winning such an iconic series in front of our home crowd is something we will all relish for a long time,” Starc said.
Ending Australia’s wait for an ICC monthly award
Mitchell Starc’s Ashes heroics also earned him the Player of the Series award, adding another milestone to his already decorated Test career. For the first time, he was named ICC Player of the Month, a fitting achievement for a bowler who has taken more than 400 wickets in the longest format.
His December 2025 win also ended Australia’s two-year wait for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award. The last Australian to claim the honour was Pat Cummins back in December 2023, making Starc’s achievement even more special for the team and fans alike.
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