Mitchell Starc Creates History, Goes Second In Elite List Behind 112-Year-Old World Record
Mitchell Starc was the star of the show for Australia as South Africa failed to make the most of a dream start and were bowled out for 328 on the first day of the third Test. The World No.1 bowler took a six-wicket haul.
Mitchell Starc continued his remarkable run of form in Test cricket as he ran through South Africa's batting unit on the first day of the series decider on Tuesday (October 27) at the Newlands Stadium in Cape Town. The World No.1 Test bowler registered sensational figures of 6/72 as the Proteas were bowled out for just 329 runs before stumps after Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bowl.
Starc and Australia had a day of contrasting emotions as they did not take a single wicket in the first session as the hosts put up a 158-run opening partnership. Starc at one point had figures of 0/62 and took two wickets each in three of the last five overs he bowled in the innings. The 36-year-old dismissed David Bedingham (50) and Wiaan Mulder (0) in the 57th over before striking twice in the 81st over with the new ball, with the dismissals of Ryan Rickelton (42) and Marco Jansen (52). In his next over, he ensured the home team was bowled out by dismissing Gerald Coetzee (0) and Kagiso Rabada (0).
Mitchell Star Creates History
With his remarkable six-wicket haul, Mitchell Starc has become the second-oldest pacer in history to take a six-wicket haul on South African soil from either the home side or a visiting team in Test cricket. In fact, the only fast-bowler to achieve the milestone at an age older than Starc was Sydney Barnes in 1913 (twice) and 1914 (twice). This makes the Australian cricket legend the oldest pacer to take a six-for in the rainbow nation in 112 years.
| Player | Team | Opponent | Figures | Age | Venue | Year |
| Sydney Barnes | England | South Africa | 7-56 | 40 years, 301 days | Durban | 1914 |
| Mitchell Starc | Australia | South Africa | 6-72 | 36 years, 270 days | Cape Town | 2026 |
| Courtney Walsh | West Indies | South Africa | 6-80 | 36 years, 77 days | Centurion | 1999 |
| Josh Hazlewood | Australia | South Africa | 6-49 | 35 years, 274 days | Durban | 2026 |
| TL Goddard | South Africa | Australia | 6-53 | 35 years, 114 days | Johannesburg | 1966 |
Meanwhile, Starc is also the eighth oldest pace bowler to take a six-for away from home in Test cricket history. In the 21st century, only James Anderson (38 years, 176 days vs Sri Lanka at Galle in 2021) and Walsh (37 years, 243 days vs England at Lord's in 200) have achieved the feat at an age older than Starc.
Meanwhile, Starc is only behind teammate Scott Boland's effort in the last match at Gqeberha (37 years, 190 days) and James Anderson (37 years, 157 days at Cape Town in 2020) as the oldest to take a five-wicket haul in South Africa since the turn of the century. These three are the oldest to achieve the milestone among pacers in the rainbow nation since Barnes in 1914 and overall behind Grimmett since 1936.
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