Australia Sweep West Indies as Starc Blazes to Quickest Five-Wicket Haul

JAMAICA: Mitchell Starc delivered a historic performance in his 100th Test, bagging a record-breaking five-wicket haul to steer Australia to a commanding 176-run win over the West Indies and secure a 3-0 series sweep at Sabina Park.

Operating with the pink ball he’s mastered over the years, Starc ripped through the West Indies top order with a blistering opening burst on Day 3, snaring three wickets in his first over and reaching the milestone of 400 Test wickets.

His figures of 6 for 9 set a new personal best, while his five wickets in just 15 deliveries from the start of the innings became the quickest such feat in Test history — surpassing the previous mark held by Ernie Toshack, Stuart Broad, and Scott Boland.

The West Indies crumbled to a paltry 27 all out in only 14.3 overs — the second-lowest total ever recorded in Test cricket — narrowly avoiding the record low of 26 due to a fumble by Sam Konstas.Starc struck with the very first delivery, having John Campbell caught behind by stand-in wicketkeeper Josh Inglis. He then trapped Kevlon Anderson LBW and bowled Brandon King the next ball, leaving the hosts tottering at 0 for 3.

In his second over, Starc pinned Mikyle Louis LBW for his 400th Test scalp, joining an elite Australian club alongside Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, and Nathan Lyon. Two balls later, he removed Shai Hope LBW to complete his five-for.Josh Hazlewood kept up the assault by dismissing Roston Chase, while Scott Boland added to the carnage after tea with a hat-trick, removing Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph, and Jomel Warrican in successive balls.

Starc fittingly returned to wrap up the innings, delivering one of the most ruthless bowling exhibitions ever seen in Tests.Earlier, Australia were dismissed for 203 in their second innings, setting West Indies a target of 204.

Alzarri Joseph was the standout for the hosts with career-best figures of 5 for 27, and Shamar Joseph continued his fine form, finishing the series with 22 wickets at an average of 14.95 — the best by a West Indian bowler against Australia since Courtney Walsh in 1999.

Ultimately, however, it was Starc’s milestone-filled masterclass that stole the show, sealing an emphatic and unforgettable series victory for Australia.