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?
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.
Former South African pacer Allan Donald, during his stint as Australia’s bowling coach, helped Starc refine his wrist position — a crucial element in his swing. Today, Starc continues to mix bouncers with full-length balls, seamlessly alternating between over and around the wicket to change angles. His Test bowling average remains among the best for bowlers who have played 100 or more matches. His prowess with reverse swing further elevates his stature among fast bowlers.
Legends who shaped the swing narrative
Wasim Akram: Known as the “Sultan of Swing,” Akram’s ability to control both seam and swing at high speed made him unplayable. He combined a quick arm action with unerring accuracy. His iconic performance in the Sialkot Test against India, where he took seven wickets, remains legendary. Even Starc acknowledges Akram’s influence. West Indies legend Viv Richards once called Akram the finest bowler after Dennis Lillee.
Trent Boult: The New Zealand left-armer consistently swung the ball at 140 kmph in both directions. His performances in the 2014 Auckland and 2020 Christchurch Tests against India were prime examples of seam movement coupled with rhythm.
Glenn McGrath: Though primarily known for his seam rather than swing, McGrath’s wrist-driven deliveries and high-arm action offered bounce and subtle movement. His ability to consistently dismiss elite batters — including Sachin Tendulkar 13 times — made him a giant of precision bowling.
James Anderson: With a vertical alignment of his feet and release arm, Anderson became England’s most successful swing bowler. Despite operating at 125–130 kmph, he used subtle variations and impeccable control to torment batters. His 2014 tour performance against India — where he repeatedly beat Virat Kohli with deceptive outswingers that mimicked inswingers — was widely praised.
Dale Steyn: Renowned for late swing at high pace, Steyn found success even in subcontinental conditions. His spells in Ahmedabad and Durban were particularly devastating. Remarkably, he averaged around 24 on Asian pitches, proving his versatility.
Zaheer Khan: A master of old-ball swing, Zaheer troubled greats like Graeme Smith, Sangakkara, Jayasuriya, and Hayden. His ninewicket haul in Nottingham during the 2007 England tour stands out in Indian cricket history.
Other notable mentions include Imran Khan’s inswingers, Sarfraz Nawaz’s reverse swing mastery, Shoaib Akhtar’s brutal yorkers, and the classical swing of Indian bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Praveen Kumar, and Manoj Prabhakar. South Africa’s Vernon Philander also brought back classical seam swing with control.
What makes Starc unique
Starc seems to combine the best traits of these greats Steyn’s late swing, Akram’s reverse, Boult’s dual-side movement, Anderson’s upright mechanics, and Zaheer’s mastery with the old ball. His commitment to swing, even at high speeds, sets him apart in an era dominated by seamers prioritizing bounce and length over movement.
Whether he is the greatest may remain subjective, but there is little doubt now that Mitchell Starc belongs in the elite pantheon of swing bowling giants.
