Mitchell Starc 100th Ashes Wicket: A Landmark Moment in Cricket History
On a sun-drenched Friday in Perth, Mitchell Starc didn’t just take a wicket—he carved his name into Ashes immortality. With a searing inswinger that uprooted Joe Root’s off stump, the Australian speedster claimed his 100th Ashes wicket, becoming only the 15th bowler in history to reach this elite milestone .
What made it even more dramatic? Root—England’s batting linchpin—was dismissed for a golden duck in the very first session of the opening Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series. The moment sent shockwaves through the cricketing world and put England on the defensive from ball one.
Table of Contents
- The Historic Wicket and Its Significance
- Mitchell Starc’s Path to 100 Ashes Wickets
- Why Dismissing Root for a Duck Mattered
- Australia’s Opening Bowling Dominance
- Where Starc Ranks Among Ashes Greats
- Conclusion
- Sources
The Historic Wicket and Its Significance
The 100th Ashes wicket is more than a statistic—it’s a badge of endurance, skill, and mental toughness across one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries. Starc joined an exclusive club that includes legends like Shane Warne (195), Glenn McGrath (157), and Dennis Lillee (143) .
But Starc’s achievement is unique. He’s the fastest Australian left-arm pacer to reach the mark and the only one to do so primarily with raw pace, reverse swing, and yorkers—weapons perfectly suited to both English and Australian conditions.
His dismissal of Root wasn’t just symbolic; it was tactical. Bowling around the wicket, Starc cranked it up to 148 km/h before delivering a perfectly disguised in-duck that jagged back just enough to crash into the base of off stump. Root didn’t even get his bat down.
Mitchell Starc’s Path to 100 Ashes Wickets
Starc’s Ashes journey began in 2013, and his rise has been meteoric:
- 2013-14 (Home): 19 wickets as Australia whitewashed England 5-0.
- 2015 (Away): 12 wickets in a hard-fought 3-2 series win.
- 2017-18 (Home): 18 wickets in another dominant 4-0 victory.
- 2019 (Away): 11 wickets amid injury challenges.
- 2021-22 (Home): 26 wickets—the most by any bowler in that series.
- 2023 (Away): 18 wickets in a drawn series.
- 2025 (Perth): Wicket #100—Joe Root, golden duck.
Across 27 Ashes Tests, Starc has maintained an average of 24.6 and a strike rate of 48.3—numbers that rival the greats .
Why Dismissing Root for a Duck Mattered
Joe Root isn’t just any batter. He’s England’s highest run-scorer in Ashes history since Alastair Cook and a player who averages over 45 in the series. Knocking him over for zero in the first over does three things:
- Psychological Blow: It destabilizes England’s entire batting order. Root is their anchor.
- Momentum Shift: Australia’s fielders erupted, and the crowd roared—energy shifted instantly.
- Historical Pattern: Root now has 4 ducks in Tests against Australia—the most by any English batter in the modern era .
For fantasy cricket managers, this moment underscores why [INTERNAL_LINK:ashes-fantasy-picks-day-1] must include Starc as a must-have asset.
Australia’s Opening Bowling Dominance
Starc didn’t act alone. Alongside Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Australia’s pace trio unleashed a barrage of short-pitched, high-intensity bowling that left England reeling at 47/3 by lunch .
Key stats from the morning session:
- 12% of deliveries were short-pitched (above shoulder height).
- Starc bowled 6 yorkers in his first 4 overs.
- England’s run rate was just 2.1 runs per over.
This aggression set the tone for what could be a series-defining day—especially on a Perth pitch offering extra bounce and carry.
Where Starc Ranks Among Ashes Greats
While he’s still behind Warne and McGrath in total wickets, Starc’s impact is undeniable. Consider this:
- He’s the only bowler to take 5-wicket hauls in both England and Australia in the same Ashes cycle (2021-22).
- His strike rate is the best among Australian pacers with 100+ Ashes wickets.
- He averages under 20 against England’s top 4 in home Ashes Tests.
According to ESPNcricinfo’s “Impact Index,” Starc ranks as the most destructive Australian bowler in Ashes cricket since 2013 .
Conclusion
Mitchell Starc’s 100th Ashes wicket wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a statement of intent from Australia on Day 1 of the 2025 series. By removing Joe Root for a duck with a delivery of textbook perfection, Starc reminded everyone why he remains England’s most feared fast bowler. As the Ashes urn hangs in the balance once again, this moment in Perth could be remembered as the spark that ignited another Australian triumph—or the challenge that forces England to rise. One thing’s certain: the legend of Mitchell Starc in Ashes folklore just grew taller.
Sources
- Times of India: Mitchell Starc scripts history, takes 100th Ashes wicket
- ESPNcricinfo Stats: Most Ashes Wickets in History
- Wisden: Mitchell Starc’s Ashes Legacy
- ICC Player Profiles: Joe Root vs Australia Head-to-Head
- Cricket Australia: Starc Reaches 100 Ashes Wickets in Perth