Mitchell Starc has been recognized as the leading cricketer of the year by the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, marking him as the fifth Australian man to receive this honor.
His impressive performance during the Ashes series, where he claimed 31 wickets at an average of 19.93, significantly contributed to Australia’s commanding 4-1 series win.
In its commentary, Wisden criticized the England team, describing their play as “feckless, reckless and legless” as they struggled against an Australian side led by Starc’s bowling and Travis Head’s batting prowess.
Starc’s achievement places him among a prestigious group of Australian cricketers, following Ricky Ponting (2003), Shane Warne (2004), Michael Clarke (2012), and Pat Cummins (2023). At 36 years old, Starc led an Australian bowling attack that was missing key players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, who collectively made only three appearances in the series.
His remarkable performance included a stunning 6-9 against the West Indies in Jamaica, elevating his Test wicket tally past 40. Over the course of 2025, Starc participated in 11 Test matches, achieving a career-high of 55 wickets at an average of 17, and he added five more wickets during a Test in Sydney in January 2026.
The 163rd edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack is set to be released on Thursday, and its critical commentary is expected to be uncomfortable reading for officials at the England and Wales Cricket Board. The leadership trio of head coach Brendon McCullum, captain Ben Stokes, and managing director Rob Key, who retained their positions despite the Ashes outcome, were criticized for insufficient preparation, unclear strategies, and a focus on the social aspects of the tour.
Editor Lawrence Booth remarked, “It is hard to think of a privilege so carelessly squandered, a chance so blithely spurned.” He characterized England’s performance as a “waste” and a “shame,” underscoring the disappointment of their Ashes campaign.
In a separate discussion, Ryan Harris has found success in his initial head coaching role with South Australia. He shared insights with Corbin about his coaching journey, philosophies, and aspirations, emphasizing the importance of elevating training standards, guiding players to victory, and advocating for selection decisions.
Harris also expressed his desire to one day coach the Australian Test team, his disinterest in T20 coaching, and how he has adapted his approach to connect with the newer generation of players.
To reach out, listeners can email Corbin and Ed at abccricketpodcast@abc.net.au. ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas teams up with Ed Cowan to deliver highlights and analyses of key cricket events, discussing prominent players and current issues in the sport.
Listeners can enjoy episodes of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,’ hosted by Corbin Middlemas, available on ABC Listen or other podcast platforms, and engage with them on social media at @abc_sport. This podcast was previously known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast.’
Additionally, four Indian players have been recognized among the five cricketers of the year, reflecting their exceptional performances over the previous English summer. Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, and Mohammed Siraj earned this accolade following a 2-2 series draw with England, with Gill receiving the Wisden Trophy for Test performance of the year for his remarkable scores of 269 and 161 in the Edgbaston Test.
Completing the five is former England opener Haseeb Hameed, who captained Nottinghamshire to a domestic title. Deepti Sharma has been named the leading women’s cricketer of the year for her outstanding all-round contributions to India’s World Cup victory on home soil, while her compatriot Abhishek Sharma has been recognized as the leading T20 cricketer of the year.
