Mitchell Starc Sets Record By Dismissing Ben Stokes 

Mitchell Starc claims 14th Stokes scalp, nearing world record for left-arm Test bowlers.

Mitchell Starc Sets Record

Is there a more lonely place in world sport than the walk back to the pavilion after being dismissed by the same man for the fifth time in a single series? For Ben Stokes, the Sydney Cricket Ground felt like a recurring nightmare on Monday.

In just 11 deliveries, Mitchell Starc reminded the world that while cricket is a team game, it is often defined by the brutal, singular mastery of one individual over another.

Stokes arrived at the crease with England looking to capitalize on Root’s brilliance. Instead, he departed for a 10-ball duck, edging a searing Starc delivery to the keeper.

This wasn’t just another wicket; it was the 14th time Starc has dismissed Stokes in Test cricket, surpassing the legendary Ravichandran Ashwin (13) for the most dismissals of the England captain.

The Hunt for Herath

 Mitchell Starc is no longer just a “strike bowler”; he is a historical anomaly. With this dismissal, Starc reached 430 Test wickets.

He now sits just four wickets away from overtaking Sri Lankan icon Rangana Herath (433) to become the most successful left-arm bowler in the history of Test cricket.

In a series where he has already claimed 28 victims, the record feels less like a goal and more like an inevitability.

The Anatomy of a Hex 

What makes Starc so lethal against Stokes? The data suggests it’s the combination of the left-armer’s angle and the late tail into the pads.

By forcing Stokes to defend a line that starts outside off-stump and swings back late, Starc creates a “corridor of uncertainty” that Stokes has failed to navigate five times in this series alone.

• Starc vs. Stokes (Ashes 2025-26): 5 Dismissals
• Total Career Dismissals: 14
• The Chasers: Nathan Lyon (10) and Ravindra Jadeja (8) are the only others close to this level of dominance.

Stop Respecting the Line 

The traditional coaching manual tells a struggling batter to “get your head over the ball” and “play as late as possible.”

Against Starc, this is a trap. Because Starc’s pace exceeds 145 clicks and his swing is late, playing late often means playing for a ball that has already moved. The counter-intuitive solution?

Stokes needs to disrupt Starc’s rhythm by moving across his stumps earlier or using the crease to change the point of contact, rather than trying to out-defend a master of swing.

The Sydney Balance 

Despite Starc’s brilliance, England’s total of 384 remains a significant hurdle. Australia’s XI, featuring fresh faces like Jake Weatherald and the versatile Beau Webster, now faces the daunting task of responding to a Joe Root-inspired total while the shadows lengthen at the SCG.

Key Takeaways

• Mitchell Starc has dismissed Ben Stokes 14 times in Tests, a world record for any bowler against the England star.
• Starc is now 4 wickets away from breaking Rangana Herath’s record for the most Test wickets by a left-armer.
• Ben Stokes recorded a duck in the first innings of the 5th Test, his 5th dismissal to Starc this series.
• England’s final total of 384 sets up a high-stakes reply for an Australian top order featuring debutants and replacements.