Mitchell Starc creates history, goes second in elite list behind 112-year-old world record

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.

Oldest Pacers To Take A Six-Wicket Haul In Test Cricket In South Africa (only Single entries)

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 the oldest player in 90 years to take a six-for on South African soil. In the 112-year gap mentioned above, apart from Barnes, Australia's Clarrie Grimmett (44, 65 days in 1936) and South Africa's Claude Carter (40 years, 203 days in 1921) got a six-for at an age older than Starc. Previously, Shane Warne (36 years, 192 days at Durban in 2006) was the oldest to achieve the feat in the 21st century.

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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