Mitchell Starc produced the fastest five-wicket haul in Test history on Monday as Australia cruised to a 176-run victory over the West Indies in the third Test in Kingston, Jamaica, sealing a 3-0 series whitewash.
Starc took just 15 deliveries to tear through the West Indies top order in a stunning burst that left the hosts’ run chase in ruins. He later returned to take his sixth wicket, shortly after Scott Boland claimed a hat-trick.
The West Indies were bowled out for just 27, the second-lowest total in Test history behind New Zealand’s 26 against England in 1955.
Starc’s five-wicket burst beat the previous record by four balls. The earlier mark of 19 deliveries was jointly held by Ernie Toshack (1947), Stuart Broad (2015), and Boland (2021).
The collapse began with the first ball of the West Indies’ second innings, when John Campbell edged an outswinger to wicketkeeper Josh Inglis. Debutant Kevlon Anderson offered no shot to a ball that nipped back and was trapped in front, while Brandon King chopped on, leaving the West Indies three down without scoring.
Starc then had Mikyle Louis lbw to become just the fourth Australian to reach 400 Test wickets, joining Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Nathan Lyon. Two balls later, he dismissed Shai Hope in similar fashion and went on to finish with figures of 6 for 9.
At the tea interval, the West Indies were 22 for 6, still needing 182 for victory and just five runs away from the lowest total ever recorded in Test cricket.
The drama continued after tea as Boland removed Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph and Jomel Warrican to claim a hat-trick and leave the West Indies at 26 for 9, level with New Zealand’s infamous total.
A single run then spared the hosts from equalling that record low, before Starc returned to bowl Jayden Seales and end the match.
Earlier, Australia were bowled out for 121 in their second innings, their lowest total against the West Indies in three decades. Alzarri Joseph claimed career-best figures of 5 for 27, while Shamar Joseph finished with 4 for 34.