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Starc got Root's number! Aussie quick among his top nightmares with latest Gabba wicket

Akshita Patel

Mitchell Starc's new record vs Joe Root [Source: @Crex_live/X.com]Mitchell Starc's new record vs Joe Root [Source: @Crex_live/X.com]

Joe Root, England’s modern-day legend, has been neutralised by Mitchell Starc in the second inning of the second Ashes 2025 Test. Starc is now the joint record holder of dismissing Root the most times in the Test format.

The day/night Ashes Test at the Gabba is becoming a nightmare for England. Despite Root scoring his maiden century on Australian soil in the first inning, the bowlers allowed Australia to score 511 and take a 177-run lead.

Joe Root succumbs to pink-ball hero Mitchell Starc

To add to the misery, England had to bat out the final session under the light on day 3, where a relentless Mitchell Starc bowled lethal spells with the pink ball. 

Despite strong partnerships from the top order, Joe Root couldn’t capitalise on the momentum. Bowling from round the wicket, Starc pitched the ball up and tempted Root into a drive. 

The bat brushed the ground but also took a faint edge through to Alex Carey. Confident appeals from Carey and Steve Smith led Australia to go for the review, and UltraEdge confirmed the nick. 

Root walked back for 15 off 36 balls, giving Starc the first wicket of the innings and another key scalp. 

This is the third time in the last two Tests alone that Mitchell Starc has dismissed Joe Root. The left-arm pacer is now second in the list of bowlers to have dismissed Root the most across all formats.

Bowlers to dismiss Joe Root the most times across formats:

  • 15 – Jasprit Bumrah (India)
  • 14 – Ravindra Jadeja (India), Pat Cummins (Australia), Mitchell Starc (Australia)
  • 13 – Josh Hazlewood (Australia)
  • 12 – Trent Boult (New Zealand)

With 14 dismissals, the Aussie matched the feat of Ravindra Jadeja and his fellow teammate Pat Cummins. 

The record of most dismissals vs Root is held by Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah at 15 wickets.

After Joe’s dismissal, England collapsed in the most horrible way. Starc, Boland, and Neser dropped them to their knees, and from 90/2, England went 128/6.

Mitchell Starc continues to haunt Joe Root in Tests

Interestingly, in the Test format, Joe Root has been troubled relentlessly by Mitchell Starc. He has matched Cummins and Bumrah’s feat to become the bowler with the most wickets against Root in the red-ball format.

Bowlers to dismiss Joe Root the most times in Tests:

  • 11 – Pat Cummins (Australia), Jasprit Bumrah (India), Mitchell Starc (Australia)
  • 10 – Josh Hazlewood (Australia) 9 – Ravindra Jadeja (India)
  • 8 – Nathan Lyon (Australia)
  • 7 – Ravichandran Ashwin (India), Trent Boult (New Zealand)

These numbers suggest Root has built some intense rivalries during his long career. They also show the quality of bowlers he has faced. 

Even the best batters in the world have their weaknesses, and for Joe Root, these bowlers have consistently found a way through his defence.