Is Mitchell Starc Among the Greatest Swing Bowlers of All Time?

Mitchell Starc's six-wicket haul in Kingston, Jamaica—where West Indies were bowled out for just 27 runs—has reignited global debate: Is Starc the greatest swing bowler of the modern era?

- MANOJ JOSHI

The Australian pacer's dominant display, especially in the second innings, was a masterclass in swing bowling. But to consider Starc among the all-time greats, comparisons with legends like Wasim Akram, Dale Steyn, James Anderson, Glenn McGrath, Trent Boult, and Zaheer Khan become inevitable.

Starc's hallmark is his ability to extract lethal swing without sacrificing pace. He's consistently clocked high speeds while mastering inswingers and toe-crushing yorkers, especially with the new ball—a rarity in modern Test cricket. In World Cups (2015 and 2019), Starc was the leading wicket-taker, and performances like his five-wicket haul in Visakhapatnam and the deadly spell in Mumbai—where he dismissed Gill, Kohli, and Suryakumar—have made him a standout force.