IN ONE of the most astonishing displays of fast bowling in Test history, Australia’s Mitchell Starc ripped through the West Indies batting line-up, skittling them out for a humiliating 27 runs, their lowest-ever Test total and the second-lowest in the history of the format on the third day of a day-night Test at Sabina Park yesterday.
A stunned, sparse crowd at the venue watched in disbelief as the Aussies mauled the hapless regional boys, who hid from the post-match formalities in embarrassment.
What began as a promising morning for the visitors quickly turned into a nightmare, as Starc’s fiery spell left them shell-shocked in just 15 minutes of carnage.
Earlier, the day had started on a positive note for the West Indies, with Alzarri Joseph claiming his best figures in Test cricket, picking up 5-48 to wrap up Australia’s tail and restrict the hosts to a modest target of 204.
Australia were 99-6 with Cameron Green on a defiant 42.
The Windies had the perfect start, Shamar Joseph sending back Green with the first ball of the morning.
Alzarri Joseph then mopped up the tail to set the host a very gettable target of 204.
With the pitch showing little demons, a chase seemed possible … until Starc took the ball.
The left-arm quick struck with his very first delivery, inducing the edge of opener John Campbell to substitute keeper Josh Inglis, much to the delight of the travelling Aussie fans.
Four balls later, he trapped debutant Kevlon Anderson in front, before sending Brandon King’s stumps tumbling for the third duck of the over.
Starc was brutal and unrelenting, his laser sharp inswingers picking off the Windies batters like flies.
Mikyle Luois and Shai Hope could not get their pads out of the way, and fell for four and two, respectively, to leave the host in tatters at six for 11.
Then Scott Boland decided he wanted a piece of the action, and fittingly, he picked up three wickets in three balls for a remarkable hat-trick to further hammer the nail in the coffin of the regional side.
Starc bowled Jayden Seales for a duck to wrap up the innings, with his five-wicket haul coming in just 15 balls, the fastest in Test history.
The West Indies capitulated for a mere 27 runs, their lowest total in the format and the second-lowest in history behind New Zealand’s 26 against England in 1955 in Auckland.
West Indies coach Daren Sammy, watching from the dressing room, could only shake his head in disbelief as his men recorded seven ducks, the most in an innings in Test cricket.
Starc finished with a career-best 6-9, while Boland ended with 3-2.
The humiliating defeat capped off a dismal 3-0 home series loss for the West Indies, with captain Roston Chase almost lost for words at the hapless display from his team with the bat.
“It’s disappointing because we’ve been putting ourselves in positions to win games, and then we’re just laying down and not putting up a fight in the last batting innings. It’s quite heartbreaking, and we’re not really learning from our mistakes, so that’s something we have to really look at.”
Player of the Match and the series, Starc, was pleased that he was able to pick up 400 Test wickets in his 100th game, and seal the series sweep for the Australians.
“I think everyone today with the ball was pretty spot on, and I don’t think anyone thought it was going to happen that quickly. We were talking about almost consolidating the scoreboard until we got closer to that night session, but yeah, early mark I guess.”
Both teams will now turn their attention to the T20 series, which bowls off on Sunday at the same venue.
