Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has decimated the West Indies top order in his 100th Test, taking five wickets in a remarkable opening spell on day three of the Frank Worrell Trophy series finale in Kingston.
Chasing a 204-run target for victory, the hosts limped towards 6-22 at tea, still trailing by 182 runs, with all-rounder Justin Greaves (10*) and bowler Alzarri Joseph (0*) unbeaten in the middle.
In astonishing scenes at Sabina Park, the West Indies crumbled to 6-11 in the sixth over after Starc, who passed the 400-wicket milestone and sealed his 16th five-wicket haul in Tests, wreaked havoc with the pink Dukes ball, taking three scalps in the first over of the innings.
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With his first delivery, Starc removed John Campbell for a golden duck after the West Indies opener feathered a length delivery through to wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, who was substituting for the concussed Alex Carey.
Later in the same over, debutant Kevlon Anderson allowed a hooping inswinger to thud into his front pad, gone LBW for a fourth-ball duck. The right-hander was left red-faced after calling for a review, with ball-tracking technology showing he was absolutely plumb.
The very next delivery, Starc bowled Brandon King through the gate with another trademark inswinger for a golden duck, sending his Australian teammates into a frenzy. Opener Mikyle Louis survived the hat-trick delivery with a solid forward defence.
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A few overs later, Starc secured his 400th Test wicket by trapping Louis on the pads, joining Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Nathan Lyon on an illustrious list of Australian sporting greats.
But the left-armed quick wasn’t done there.
Later in the same over, Starc hooped another gorgeous delivery into the pads of West Indies wicketkeeper Shai Hope, with umpire Nitin Menon raising the dreaded finger yet again. The New South Welshman had bagged a five-wicket haul in just his third over, boasting figures of 5-2.
He only needed 15 deliveries to secure a five-wicket haul, an all-time record in Tests.
Josh Hazlewood joined the party at the other end, with West Indies captain Roston Chase attempting a wild slog and edging behind to the wicketkeeper for an 11-ball duck.
Fastest five-wicket hauls in Tests
15 balls – Michell Starc (AUS) vs WI, 2025
19 Balls – Ernie Toshack (from) VS Ind, 1947
19 balls – Stuart Broad (ENG) vs AUS, 2015
19 Balls – Scott Boland (from) VS Eng, 2021
21 balls – Shane Watson (AUS) vs SA,
Starc was denied a sixth wicket when teenager Sam Konstas dropped a tough one-handed chance in the slips cordon, handing Alzarri Joseph a reprieve on 0.
Earlier on Monday afternoon, the tourists were bowled out for 121 in 37 overs, Australia’s lowest score against the West Indies in Tests since 1995, courtesy of another scintillating performance from Alzarri Joseph (5-27) and Shamar Joseph (4-34).
The West Indies fast bowlers only needed 45 minutes to wrap up Australia’s second innings, with Alzarri Joseph taking five wickets in a career-best performance.
Cameron Green was knocked over first ball of the day in comical fashion after letting a delivery from speedster Shamar Joseph cannon into his stumps, sheepishly trudging off for a team-high 42. Shortly after, Australian captain Pat Cummins was bounced out by Alzarri after tamely fending a bumper towards short leg for 5.
Starc added 11 runs in a defiant knock to push Australia’s lead beyond 200 before the Josephs cleaned up the tail.
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