Record Alert: Mitchell Starc pips Glenn McGrath for most wickets in a World Cup

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc went past former pacer Glenn McGrath to become the most successful bowler in a single World Cup edition. With 26 wickets in the 2007 World Cup, McGrath held the prestigious record for 12 years. On Thursday, Starc dismissed England opener Jonny Bairstow as his 27th scalp in Australia’s semi-final clash against England at Edgbaston. However, that was the only silver lining for the defending champions in an otherwise mediocre World Cup. The Aussies crashed out after England registered a thumping 8-wicket win to progress to their first final in 27 years.

May have been a disappointing end for him, but he was ⚡ in the #CWC19 on the whole!

With a record-breaking 27 wickets, he’s very likely to finish top wicket-taker for the second World Cup in succession! pic.twitter.com/mGbL7aUI0K

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 12, 2019

For the second World Cup in a row, Starc has been Australia’s standout pace bowler. He finished the 2015 World Cup as the joint-highest wicket-taker alongside New Zealand’s Trent Boult with 22 wickets. This year, he went a step ahead, bettering his fellow countryman’s long-standing record. Starc has claimed a wicket in every single match he’s played in both editions of the World Cup (2015 and 2019).

Starc’s best performance came in a crucial league match against New Zealand at Lord’s. Australia struggled to get to 243 in 50 overs. Jason Behrendorff dismantled the top order but it was Starc who got the key wicket of captain Kane Williamson. He then returned to clean up the tail, bundling New Zealand for a paltry 157. He finished with figures of 5/26, the second-best performance of this tournament.

With England’s Jofra Archer on 19 wickets, Starc is likely to finish as the top wicket-taker (unless Archer bags 8).