Mitchell Starc vs Wasim Akram: Decoding more impactful left-arm pacer in Test history

Starc vs Akram in Tests [source: AFP Photo]

On Thursday, Australian seamer Mitchell Starc became the greatest left-armer in Test history as he surpassed Pakistan legend Wasim Akram to become the left-arm pacer with the most Test scalps. Starc had 412 wickets heading into the Pink-Ball Test vs England at the Gabba, and he needed 3 more victims to go past Akram.

Starc took no time in achieving the feat as the pacer scalped 3 crucial wickets and went past Akram to sit at the top of the pile of left-arm pacers. 

Statistically, Starc has become the greatest left-arm pacer in Tests, but stats can also be misleading sometimes. How has the Aussie star performed as compared to Akram in home, away, and neutral conditions? In this piece, we dissect how the two champion bowlers have fared in different criteria.

Mitch Starc vs Wasim Akram: Overall Test stats

(Starc vs Akram overall Test stats)

• If the overall Test data is taken into consideration, then there is not much to separate the two champion pacers in the red-ball format. Both have played almost identical matches Starc (102), Wasim Akram (104), and Starc has a wicket more.
• However, when it comes to having a better average, then Akram is miles clear as Starc has an average of 26.54, while Akram has the stats at 23.62.
• While Akram also has more fifers in Test cricket, but Starc has a way better strike-rate, hence, making the contest if we compare the overall Test record.

Starc vs Akram: Test stats at home

(Starc vs Akram in home Tests)

• In-home conditions, Starc has played 16 more matches than Akram, and while the Aussie pacer has 248 wickets, Akram has 154 scalps in 41 home Tests.
• However, the Pakistan great had a way better average (22.22), as compared to Starc (25.69). The only criterion where Starc pips Akram is the strike-rate, where the Australian pacer has dominated the legendary seamer.

Starc vs Akram: Away  and neutral Test stats

(Starc vs Akram in away Tests)

• The role has reversed in away Tests as Akram has 93 more wickets in away Tests as compared to Starc, and also has a better average than the Aussie legend. However, once again, Starc has a better strike in away matches, showcasing his ability to take wickets at quick intervals and in less balls.
• The Pakistan great also has more fifers in away Tests as compared to Starc, and he just pips the Australian in the best left-arm pacer criteria.

What makes Akram slightly better than Starc

• In terms of craftsmanship and skillset, Akram is superior to Starc in red-ball cricket. For most of his career, Akram played on Pakistan wickets that hardly supported fast bowlers, and yet he scalped 154 home Test wickets.
• While Starc has dominated in bowling-friendly conditions, he has struggled in Asian soil, having only taken 17 wickets in nine Tests in India and Pakistan.
• On the other hand, Akram has shown his skill set not only in Pakistan, but across the globe as he has 36 wickets in nine Tests in Australia, showcasing his ability to adjust in different conditions. Purely on this criteria, Akram is a better Test bowler than Starc, despite him taking more wickets.

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