For a series supposedly framed around Australia’s “aging” fast bowlers, the 2025 Ashes ended with a familiar image: Mitchell Starc, breath still steady, thunderbolt still lethal, dictating terms on the final afternoon. At a point in cricketing life when most quicks are rationed like vintage wine, Starc instead delivered an Ironman act, five Tests, relentless pace, decisive moments.
The numbers alone feel slightly unreal. 31 wickets at 19.93, becoming Australia’s first 30-wicket bowler in an Ashes series since Mitchell Johnson in 2013–14. Add to that two half-centuries, including a tactically priceless 77 at the Gabba, and you start to understand why the Compton–Miller Medal didn’t feel close despite Travis Head’s competition.
A first over that set the tone
Ashes narratives often hinge on one symbolic moment. This one began in the very first over at Perth, when Zak Crawley edged Starc to slip. It was less wicket, more warning shot. England were immediately reminded that this was not a farewell tour for an aging bowler; it was hostile territory guarded by a left-armer still operating at elite speed.
That early dominance wasn’t a one-Test spike either. Starc had 10 wickets after the first Test, including a career-best 7 for 58 on day one, and 18 after two. England never truly recovered from that early imbalance.
When speed met stamina
Fast bowlers can have pace. Few have endurance. Starc had both. Even as the series progressed and the initial rush of wickets slowed, his impact didn’t. The final-day spell in Adelaide, when England were forced to genuinely work before conceding the Ashes, was vintage Starc, not flashy, just suffocating. And late in the Sydney Test, with the series already written, he was still clocking 145 kph.
That detail matters. Speed late in a five-Test series isn’t accidental; it’s preparation, workload management, and experience converging. As Starc admitted, he’d “felt in worse condition” in other series, a damning indictment of the age narrative.
Runs that bent the match situation
The 31 wickets tell most of the story. The batting contributions complete it. Starc’s half-centuries in Brisbane and Adelaide put him in rare company; only eight players in Test history have managed 30 wickets and two 50+ scores in a single series. But the 77 at the Gabba was more than a statistical flourish.
Together with Scott Boland, Starc engineered the innings tempo to ensure Australia bowled under lights. The result? Six England wickets by stumps on day three, and effectively, the Ashes are sealed. That wasn’t tail-end resistance; it was tactical awareness at its sharpest.
Durability as a competitive weapon
Australia’s bowling continuity quietly strangled England. Starc and Scott Boland played all five Tests, a feat Steven Smith rightly called “incredible” given Australian conditions. England, by contrast, had only Brydon Carse as an ever-present, and while Carse took 22 wickets, his 4.81 economy rate bled control.
Boland’s own return of 20 wickets at 24.95, including a masterclass against Joe Root at the SCG, amplified Starc’s effectiveness. Pressure from one end made Starc’s strikes inevitable at the other.
The luxury of depth, not dependency
The overlooked truth was this: Starc wasn’t masking structural weakness; he was steering an attack designed to bend without breaking. Mitchell Starc had no problem, Josh Hazlewood was not even selected, however Michael Neser who took 15 wickets at 19.93 over three matches in addition to new bowler Brendan Doggett and the long awaited return of Jhye Richardson at the MCG provided enough of the rest for Australia to remain dominant; Pat Cummins’ six wicket haul in his first Test since 5 months of competitive bowling was also an important factor.
Key Takeaway
Mitchell Starc didn’t outrun age; he outthought it.
FAQs
- What made Mitchell Starc the Ashes’ standout bowler?
His 31 wickets, late-series pace, and decisive spells across all five Tests.
- Why was Starc’s batting impact important?
His two half-centuries directly influenced match timing and bowling conditions.
- How did Australia’s bowling depth help Starc thrive?
Consistent support from Boland and Neser reduced workload pressure and sustained control.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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