Starc Moves Ahead in the Test Rivalry with Stokes
Mitchell Starc has now dismissed Ben Stokes 14 times in Test cricket, eclipsing Ravichandran Ashwin’s previous tally of 13. The left-arm quick’s latest scalp puts him top of a small but telling list of bowlers who have troubled England’s match-winner most often in the longest format.
Small Numbers, Big Significance
Fourteen dismissals might not seem huge in isolation, but when clustered around a single high-quality batter, it tells a story. Ben Stokes is one of the premier all-rounders of his generation: aggressive with the bat, athletic in the field, and handy with the ball. Bowlers who can consistently get him out have earned a real edge for their teams.
Starc’s new mark — one more than Ashwin’s 13 — reflects repeated, high-stakes encounters over several series. Both Starc and Ashwin have posed very different problems for Stokes, which highlights just how complete a challenge elite batters like Stokes face in Test cricket.
Why Starc Has Been So Effective
- Angle and pace: As a left-arm fast bowler, Starc brings an angle that can cramp right-handed batters and force mistakes. His ability to hit high pace and extract steep bounce makes him dangerous, especially on surfaces that offer movement.
- Disruptive deliveries: Starc’s bouncers, late-inswinging yorkers and cross-seam variations have each produced chances. For a batter who thrives on attacking intent, well-directed short-pitched bowling or a sharp incoming yorker can prompt a rash stroke.
- Match awareness: Starc has often delivered when it matters most — with new balls, late in the day or in crunch sessions where a quick breakthrough changes momentum. That knack for timing adds to his wicket-taking threat.
Ashwin’s Different Threat
Ravichandran Ashwin’s 13 dismissals of Stokes show the contrast between pace and spin. Ashwin’s craft — flight, drift and subtle variations — challenges Stokes’ range of shots, especially on turning tracks. Stokes has both attacked and been tentative against top-class spin, and Ashwin has frequently capitalised on that.
In short, Ashwin’s success came through guile and patience, while Starc’s has come from speed, bounce and raw aggression. Both approaches have proved effective at different times and on different surfaces.
What This Means for Stokes and England
Being frequently dismissed by the same bowlers isn’t a failing so much as a reminder of the fine margins in Test cricket. For Stokes, who often bats in pressure situations, knowledge of how and when he’s been dismissed can help inform adjustments in shot selection and match awareness.
For opposition teams, the stat underlines planning priorities: use bowlers when conditions suit and attack Stokes’ perceived weaknesses at the right moments. Conversely, England will look to prepare Stokes with targeted practice against left-arm pace and clever off-spin to blunt both Starc- and Ashwin-style threats.
Looking Ahead
Records like these evolve with every series. Starc’s current lead is a nice talking point, but it’s also a prompt for what comes next — whether Stokes will adapt and reduce those dismissals, or whether rival bowlers will widen the list of frequent scalpers.
In any case, the small rivalry between a top batter and the bowlers who get him out remains one of the compelling subplots of Test cricket: a reminder that personal matchups often sway the biggest moments in the game.