Mitchell Starc 6-12 in Mackay, overtakes Ravichandran Ashwin’s international wickets

Mitchell Starc took 6/12 in the first innings of the second Test against Bangladesh at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay on August 22, 2026, and his spell helped bowl Bangladesh out for 64.

Australia entered the second Test under pressure after their defeat in the first Test in Darwin, and the hosts relied on their pace attack to respond; Starc produced an immediate impact after being handed the new ball. At 36, the left-arm quick again used pace, movement and accuracy to trouble the Bangladesh batters, with his recent form presented as a key element in Australia’s attempt to reverse the series momentum.

Starc ripped through Bangladesh’s top order in the first innings, finishing with 6/12 from 10 overs. He removed opener Shadman Islam with the first ball of the innings and also dismissed Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for a golden duck as the visitors were reduced to 12/5 inside seven overs.

The six-wicket haul carried significant statistical milestones: Starc’s Test wickets total moved to 441, taking him past Dale Steyn’s Test tally of 439. Across all international formats his wicket count reached 767, surpassing Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s career international total of 765.

Starc’s international tally leaves him short of Tim Southee’s 776 international wickets. The article notes Starc’s recent increase in wickets has been driven largely by his Test and ODI performances following his retirement from T20 internationals in 2025.

Within Australian cricket history, Starc’s 441 Test wickets place him as the third-highest Test wicket-taker for his country behind Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.

With Australia scheduled to feature in several ODI and Test matches within the next year, Starc’s current totals — 441 Test wickets and 767 international wickets — give him the opportunity to narrow the gap on Tim Southee’s 776 international wickets as the team continues its programme.