Australia’s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has etched his name in history by becoming the highest wicket-taker in ICC finals, surpassing India’s Mohammad Shami. The veteran left-arm fast bowler achieved this milestone during Day 1 of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 against South Africa at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
With two crucial wickets in South Africa’s first innings, Starc took his tally to 11 wickets in ICC finals, overtaking Mohammad Shami, who had 10 wickets in four ICC finals. This performance cements Starc’s legacy as one of the most impactful bowlers in high-stakes matches on the world stage.
Mitchell Starc’s Wicket in WTC Final 2025
On June 11, 2025, during the first day of the WTC final, Mitchell Starc dismissed Aiden Markram for a six-ball duck in the very first over of South Africa’s innings. His second victim was Ryan Rickelton, who was caught in the slip cordon by Usman Khawaja after scoring 16 off 23 balls. These two wickets helped Starc surpass Shami and create a new world record for the most wickets in ICC finals.
ICC Finals Wicket-Takers – Top Rankings
| Player | Country | ICC Finals Played | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | Australia | 5 | 11 |
| Mohammad Shami | India | 4 | 10 |
| Trent Boult | New Zealand | 3 | 8 |
| Pat Cummins | Australia | 5 | 7 |
| Josh Hazlewood | Australia | 5 | 7 |
Mitchell Starc’s Performance in ICC Finals
Mitchell Starc has now featured in five ICC finals for Australia: two ODI World Cup finals (2015, 2023), one T20 World Cup final (2021), and two WTC finals (2023, 2025). His ability to deliver in pressure games has been crucial to Australia’s dominance in world cricket.
Starc’s ICC Final Performances:
- 2015 ODI World Cup Final vs New Zealand: 2/20
- 2021 T20 World Cup Final vs New Zealand: 0/60
- 2023 ODI World Cup Final vs India: 3/55
- 2023 WTC Final vs India: 2 wickets in each innings (Total: 4)
- 2025 WTC Final vs South Africa (Day 1): 2 wickets so far
His consistent performances highlight his role as Australia’s key strike bowler in ICC tournaments.
Shami’s Record in ICC Finals
Mohammad Shami, who had held the record prior to Starc’s performance, has played in four ICC finals for India — two WTC finals (2021, 2023), one ODI World Cup final (2023), and one Champions Trophy final (2025). He has 10 wickets in those appearances, with 8 of those coming in the two WTC finals.
Shami’s ICC Final Stats:
- WTC Finals (2021 & 2023): 8 wickets
- ODI World Cup Final 2023: 1 wicket
- Champions Trophy Final 2025: 1 wicket
Despite his strong showings, Shami now trails Starc by one wicket in ICC finals.
Other Top Bowlers in ICC Finals
Trent Boult from New Zealand has 8 wickets in ICC finals, while Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, both part of the current Australian bowling lineup, have taken 7 wickets each in ICC finals. This dominance of Australian bowlers in the all-time ICC finals wickets tally is a testament to their consistency in major tournaments.
Looking Ahead
Despite Starc’s bowling brilliance, Australia were bowled out for 212 in their first innings of the WTC 2025 Final. Beau Webster was the top scorer with 72 runs off 92 balls, while veteran Steve Smith contributed 66 off 112 balls. South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada led the bowling attack with an impressive 5-wicket haul (5/51), and Marco Jansen picked up three wickets.
Mitchell Starc’s record-breaking feat has given Australia a boost in what is shaping up to be a tightly contested WTC 2025 Final. His ability to strike early and dominate in big games continues to be Australia’s biggest weapon. As the match progresses, fans will be keen to see whether Starc can extend his tally even further and lead Australia to another ICC title.