Mitchell Starc: First Left-Arm Bowler to 450 Test Wickets
On 20 October 2026 at St George's Park, Gqeberha, Mitchell Starc dismissed Wiaan Mulder via DRS to become the first left-arm bowler in 149 years of Test cricket to take 450 wickets. No spinner, no swing merchant, nobody who has ever held the ball in their left hand had reached it before. He also got there faster, by balls bowled, than any bowler who has ever lived.
How did Starc get his 450th wicket?
The moment arrived on the last ball of Starc's 50th over in South Africa's first innings. He sent down a 144kph bumper, Mulder (13 off 38 balls) gloved it off his helmet, and the ball flew to Matt Renshaw at first slip. On-field umpire said not out. Australia reviewed. DRS confirmed a clean spike off the glove, and Starc had his place in cricket history.
South Africa had declared at 425/9, anchored by Temba Bavuma's career-best 179. The Proteas later enforced the follow-on after bowling Australia out for 99 on Day 4, with the match still in progress at publication.
Why is this record significant?
No left-arm bowler had reached 450 Test wickets before Starc. The previous leaders were Rangana Herath of Sri Lanka (433) and Wasim Akram of Pakistan (414). Starc is the 10th bowler overall to reach the milestone, and just the 4th Australian, joining Shane Warne (708), Nathan Lyon (573) and Glenn McGrath (563).
Starc reached 450 in 20,577 balls bowled, the fastest by that measure in Test history. McGrath's previous record was 23,474 deliveries, nearly 3,000 more than Starc needed. The milestone came in his 109th Test.
Which 2025-26 Cricket Traders cards feature Starc?
- Base #009: 2025-26 TGI Cricket Traders standard base set (153 cards total)
- IS09: International Series insert, one of 36 cards (IS01-IS36); unnumbered with no serial number; pull rate approximately 1:10 retail packs
- Silver parallel: set-wide, 1 per pack (applies to base #009)
- Mojo Opal parallel: set-wide, print run unconfirmed
- Mojo Opal Gold 1/1: set-wide true one-of-one
- IS Gold /100: Luxe product exclusive only, does not appear in standard retail packs
Does IS09 come with an autograph?
No. Starc is not among the 12 Authentic Series signers in the 2025-26 TGI Cricket Traders set. He has not appeared in any autograph card across any TLA or TGI Traders release. The signing roster includes Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa, Scott Boland and others, but not Starc. If you pull an IS09 and want to know where it sits, snap a photo to value it in CardLoft.
What's coming next for Starc cards?
The 2026-27 TGI Cricket Traders Luxe releases on 1 November 2026. Starc is expected to feature given his standing as Australia's premier pace bowler, but the checklist has not been published. Previous Luxe sets have included IS Gold parallels (/100) as Luxe-exclusive versions of the retail IS insert, though nothing is confirmed for this cycle.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2025-26 TGI Cricket Traders IS09 Starc card?
It is the Mitchell Starc card from the 36-card International Series insert set (IS01-IS36) in the 2025-26 TGI Cricket Traders release. Starc sits at IS09, between IS08 Nathan McSweeney and IS10 Travis Head.
Does IS09 have a serial number or limited print run?
No. IS09 is unnumbered and carries no serial number. The IS Gold parallel (/100) is exclusive to the Luxe product and does not appear in standard retail packs.
Is there a Mitchell Starc autograph card in 2025-26 TGI Cricket Traders?
No. Starc is not among the 12 Authentic Series signers in this set, and no Starc autograph card exists in any TLA or TGI Traders release.
How is IS09 different from the base #009 Starc card?
The base #009 is part of the 153-card base set and lands in every pack. IS09 is from a separate 36-card International Series insert set with a pull rate of approximately 1:10 retail packs, making it noticeably less common.
When does 2026-27 TGI Cricket Traders Luxe release?
1 November 2026. No player checklist has been confirmed at time of publication, so no specific card codes or print runs for Starc in this product can be stated.
