In a stunning display of pace and precision, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc unleashed a relentless opening spell, leaving the West Indies reeling at a mere 27 runs, marking the second-lowest score in Test history. This catastrophic performance culminated in a crushing 176-run defeat on the third day of the final Test at Sabina Park on Monday.
Australia clinched the series with a commanding 3-0 victory, following earlier triumphs in Barbados and Grenada, successfully retaining the prestigious Frank Worrell Trophy.
In a thrilling display of skill, Starc achieved the remarkable milestone of 400 Test wickets, while Scott Boland showcased his prowess by completing a stunning hat-trick. However, the hosts narrowly escaped the embarrassment of matching New Zealand’s infamous record low of 26, established back in 1955.
“We were unsure if luck would be on our side with the ball until the sun began to set,” Starc remarked after securing both the player of the match and series accolades.
“Regardless, our bowling attack has consistently delivered throughout the series,” he added.
West Indies skipper Royston Chase has issued a rallying cry, emphasising the need for his team to step up their game ahead of the opening match of the five-match T20 international series on Monday.
“Evaluating this series is straightforward: the bowlers consistently kept us competitive, while the batting repeatedly fell short,” he stated.
“We must intensify our efforts on our batting as we look ahead if we truly aim to be competitive,” he stated.
In a dramatic turn of events, the West Indies were handed a victory target of 204 runs after the visitors crumbled, losing their last four wickets in a mere 45 minutes. They were bowled out for just 121 in their second innings, marking their lowest Test innings total against the West Indies in three decades.
Alzarri Joseph spearheaded the bowling attack with a remarkable performance, achieving his best Test innings figures of five for 27. Meanwhile, Shamar Joseph also made a significant impact, taking four for 34, which brought his series total to an impressive 22 wickets and pushed him past the 50-wicket milestone in Test cricket.
In a whirlwind of action during the opening session, all other performances paled in comparison to Starc’s astonishing display. He stormed through the opposition, claiming five wickets for just six runs in five overs. By the time he wrapped up the match, his final tally stood at six for nine, as he dismissed last man Jayden Seales half an hour into the second session, clinching a decisive victory.
In a milestone 100th Test, the left-arm bowler turned the tide after a disappointing first innings where he managed only one wicket. He struck immediately in the second innings, sending John Campbell back to the pavilion with his very first delivery. He followed that up with a remarkable double strike, claiming the wickets of debutant Kevlon Anderson and Brandon King in consecutive deliveries, all before the opening over had concluded.
Starc reached a significant milestone, claiming his 400th wicket early in his third over as he trapped opener Mikyle Louis leg-before with a decisive delivery.
At that moment, the West Indies found themselves in dire straits at five for four, while Starc showcased an incredible performance with the remarkable figures of four wickets for no runs.
The 35-year-old bowler faced a minor setback, allowing two runs off the outside edge of Shai Hope’s bat. However, he quickly bounced back, trapping Hope lbw to secure his fifth wicket of the match.
In a stunning display of skill, he achieved a five-wicket haul in just 15 deliveries, marking the fewest ever recorded in Test history.
Skipper Chase was dismissed behind the stumps off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood, leaving the scoreboard reading a staggering 11 for six.
Boland took centre stage at the beginning of the second session, executing a stunning display of skill as he dismissed Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph, and Jomel Warrican with three consecutive deliveries, achieving the remarkable milestone of a Test hat-trick.
“I felt a surge of nerves as I delivered that final ball to Jomel Warrican,” Boland remarked.
“I was focused on maintaining my concentration and ensuring that my bowling balls landed in optimal areas,” he stated.
Australia faced a significant setback as they were without their first-choice wicketkeeper, Alex Carey, who sustained a concussion after being struck on the helmet by Alzarri Joseph late on day two. Josh Inglis took over the wicketkeeping duties.
