Last Updated on 5 months ago by Charbel Coorey
Mitchell Starc is the undisputed king of pink ball Tests. In 14 day/night matches, the left-armer has taken an incredible 81 wickets at an average of 17.08 and strike rate of 33.4.
Earlier in 2025, Starc dismantled the West Indies, taking a scarcely believable 6/9 as the hosts were rolled for 27. He took three wickets in the first over with a Dukes pink ball on a Jamaica surface that did plenty.
“I don’t think we will ever see a pink Dukes ball again,’’ Starc told CODE Sports.
“I don’t think that will ever see the light of day. It was doing plenty during the day and then we had to bowl at night. I think the (Dukes) pink ball I have on the mantelpiece at home might be the last one you will see.
“It did a lot. It was certainly skewed in the bowlers favour.’’
Mitchell Starc stats in pink ball Tests
| Matches | 14 |
| Wickets | 81 |
| Average | 17.08 |
| Strike Rate | 33.4 |
| Best bowling figures | 6/9 |
81 of Starc’s 412 Test wickets have come in day/night matches. He took 3/24 in the first ever pink ball Test between Australia and New Zealand at Adelaide Oval in 2015. A year later, he picked up a six wickets against South Africa.
Starc hasn’t slowed down. Last year, Starc led the way against India after Australia went 1-0 down in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The left-arm seamer took 6/48 in the first innings to help bowl India out for 180.
Starc’s 81 wickets are nearly double the amount of the next-highest. Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon both have 43 wickets in day/night Tests.
Despite his success, Starc still prefers traditional Test cricket with the red ball.
“My stance has probably softened a bit on it. I still love the red-ball cricket. I did think the Adelaide pink-ball Test was a great event with everything that went with it,” Starc said.
“It will change slightly with the pink ball in Brisbane.’’
