Australian speedster Mitchell Starc has produced one of the greatest bowling performances in Test history to tear through the West Indies top order on day three of the Frank Worrell Trophy series finale at Kingston’s Sabina Park.
The left-armer, playing his 100th Test, produced a masterclass in swing bowling to decimate the West Indies with the pink Dukes ball, securing a five-wicket haul in just 15 deliveries, an all-time record.
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Starc, who finished with a career-best 6-9, claimed three scalps in the first over of the innings before he passed the 400-wicket milestone with the dismissal of opener Mikyle Louis, joining Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Nathan Lyon on an illustrious list of Australian sporting greats.
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Only one cricketer has taken 400 wickets in fewer deliveries than Starc — South African legend Dale Steyn. Despite recently celebrating his 35th birthday, the New South Welshman is still at the peak of his powers.
“It was just complete devastation,” former Australian batter Greg Blewett said in commentary.
“It was absolutely frightening.”
Starc’s first ball of the innings was a length delivery that nipped away from West Indies opener John Campbell, who feathered through to wicketkeeper Josh Inglis for a golden duck.
Four deliveries later, debutant Kevlon Anderson left alone a hooping inswinger and allowed the ball to thud into his front pad, with umpire Nitin Menon immediately raising the finger. In comical scenes, the right-hander called for an ill-judged review and sheepishly trudged off after ball-tracking showed 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.
During his third over, Starc secured his 400th Test wicket by trapping Louis on the pads, raising the pink ball towards the appreciative crowd in recognition of the milestone.
But he wasn’t done there, later in the same over hooping another gorgeous delivery into the pads of West Indies wicketkeeper Shai Hope, gone LBW for 2.
Starc suddenly boasted the absurd figures of 5-2 from 2.3 overs.
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 twice denied a sixth wicket when teenager Sam Konstas dropped a pair of catches in the slips cordon, but he got the job done by producing a yorker that knocked over West Indies tailender Jayden Seales for a duck.
He finished with the best bowling figures by an Australian in the West Indies since 1955.
“When you talk about 100 Tests, you talk about resilience and skill, fitness and all those things,” Australian captain Pat Cummins said during the post-match presentation.
“But I think today showed the real Mitchell Starc and what he can bring to a team, which is out of nowhere tear an opposition apart and win a game for you.
“He does it consistently in every format, and we feel lucky that he’s on our team.”
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Following the post-match presentation, when Starc was named player of the series for his 15 wickets at 14.80, the Australian spent 15 minutes talking about the craft of fast bowling with West Indies quick Johann Layne before joining his teammates in the sheds.
Speaking to reporters near the boundary rope, Starc was asked what his highlight of the day was.
“It will come when Alex (Carey) decides to sing the team song,” he responded.
“That will be the highlight.”
Most Test wickets for Australia
708 – Shane Warne
563 – Glenn McGrath
562 – Nathan Lyon
401 – Mitchell Starc
355 – Dennis Lillee