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Starc Claims Stokes' Wicket, Eyes Bowling Record
5 Jan
Summary
- Mitchell Starc dismissed Ben Stokes for the fifth time this Ashes series.
- Starc's 14 dismissals of Stokes are the most by any bowler in Test history.
- Starc is closing in on Rangana Herath's record for most left-arm bowler wickets.
In the fifth Ashes Test on January 5, 2026, Australian bowler Mitchell Starc achieved a significant personal milestone by dismissing England's captain, Ben Stokes, for a duck. This marks the fifth occasion Starc has taken Stokes' wicket during the 2025-26 Ashes series, and an overall 14th dismissal in Test cricket, establishing a new record for the most times a bowler has taken a specific batter's wicket.
Starc's success against Stokes surpasses Ravichandran Ashwin's previous record of 13 dismissals. The Australian pace bowler now stands at 430 Test wickets, including 28 in this series. He is just four wickets away from breaking Rangana Herath's record of 433 wickets, which would make Starc the most successful left-arm bowler in Test history.
Meanwhile, England's Joe Root reached his 41st Test century on the same day, underscoring individual achievements amidst the intense series competition. As the series concludes, Starc's performance highlights his enduring skill and his proximity to another prestigious bowling record.
