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Mitchell Starc breaks Gabba curse; destroys England with maiden Test fifer at the venue

Kaushik Kashyap

Mitchell Starc in action (Source: AFP Photos)Mitchell Starc in action (Source: AFP Photos)

Mitchell Starc has long been a force to reckon with in respect to day-night Tests, yet the Gabba remained a curious exception. Despite his ability to get the best out of the conditions under lights, Brisbane had seen him deliver only modest returns, leaving fans and critics wondering if the iconic ground simply did not suit his forte.

Across his first three pink-ball Tests at the Gabba, Starc had taken just 14 wickets at an average of 29, in stark contrast to Adelaide, where he boasts 47 wickets at around 16 average. The bounce and seam movement in Brisbane had often favored pacers, making his long due big performance a bit shocking.

Starc finally gets a Test fifer at the Gabba

In the ongoing second Test of the 2025-26 Ashes, Starc finally rewrote the narrative as he ripped through England’s batting order on Day 1 and claimed his maiden Test five-wicket haul at the Gabba.

Starc claimed key wickets with pace, swing, and clever wobble seam work, producing a masterclass, finishing the day with 6 for 71. This his 18th Test five-wicket haul and 10th on Australian soil, turning the Gabba from a challenge into triumph and kept Australia in the game.

Most five-wicket hauls in Australian in Test innings

Players
Test five-wicket hauls in Australia
Dennis Lillee (Australia), Shane Warne (Australia15
Craig McDermott (Australia), Glenn McGrath (Australia)11
Sir Richard Hadlee (New Zealand), Mitchell Starc (Australia)*10

This maiden five-wicket haul in his 13th Test match at the Gabba adds to Starc’s remarkable career milestones. With this performance, Starc now sits joint third for the most five-wicket hauls in Australia, equaling New Zealand legend Sir Richard Hadlee record and joining the elite company of the nation’s greatest bowlers.

The achievement highlights Starc, who seemed to be bowling the best of his Test career, dominating grounds where he previously had modest returns. With no Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in the XI, he led Australia’s attack brilliantly, making their absence barely felt.