Mitchell Starc Sets New Record with 55 Wickets in 2025

Australian Fast Bowler Mitchell Starc Breaks 32-Year-Old Record Held by Pakistan’s Former Captain Waqar Younis

35-year-old Mitchell Starc has broken the 32-year-old record set by former Pakistani captain and “Burewala Express,” Waqar Younis.

Starc had an outstanding performance in 2025, taking 55 wickets in 11 Test matches, with an impressive average of 17.32 and a best strike rate of 28.3. These figures have been recorded as the best strike rate for bowlers who have taken at least 50 wickets in a calendar year.

Previously, former Pakistani fast bowler Waqar Younis took 55 wickets in just 7 matches in 1993, with an average of 15.23 and a strike rate of 29.5.

Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, in 2024, took 71 wickets in 13 matches with an average of 14.92 and a strike rate of 30.1, securing the third spot on this list.

English fast bowler Gus Atkinson, in 2024, took 52 wickets in 11 matches with an average of 22.15 and a strike rate of 35.6, ranking fourth.

Former South African speed star Dale Steyn, in 2008, took 74 wickets in 13 matches with an average of 20.01 and a strike rate of 35.8, ranking fifth. Meanwhile, former English pacer Sydney Barnes, in 1912, took 61 wickets in 9 matches with an average of 14.14 and a strike rate of 36, securing the sixth spot.