Australian quick Mitchell Starc destroys West Indies' top order with fastest five-wicket haul in Test history
Set 204 by Australia to win the third Test, Starc quickly dashed all hopes of the hosts stealing an upset, with a devastating first over that claimed three wickets.
Before you knew it, the veteran Aussie quick had five wickets in just 2.3 overs and, when Josh Hazlewood joined the party, the West Indies were in dire trouble at 6/12.
Starc made the history in the process, with his 'five-for' the quickest ever five-wicket bag in a Test innings.
Opener John Campbell made a duck, Kevlon Anderson made a duck, Brandon King made a duck, and Roston Chase was also out for duck.
Cricket fans were all saying the same thing was they watched Starc in action.
'Greatest left arm pacer of this generation,' one fan said.
'Mitchell Starc is a true legend,' another said.
And another: 'Mighty untouchable Starc 🔥🤍.'
Before the innings started, there was some thought Australia's bid to clean sweep the Frank Worrell Trophy was under threat.
Australia were bowled out for 121 early on Day 3, their lowest total against West Indies since Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose were wreaking havoc in 1995.
It was Alzarri and Shamar Joseph who did the damage for West Indies this time, with the former claiming 5-27 after dominating under lights on Day 2.
It then took just eight overs for the West Indies' quicks to take the final four wickets on Monday afternoon (Tuesday AEST), with Shamar Joseph finishing with 4-34.
After the innings ended, Australia had three hours to bowl in daylight before entering the dangerous night session.
Alex Carey was unable to keep wicket for Australia, diagnosed with a concussion after being struck in the head by Alzarri Joseph on Day 2.
Carey passed an on-field test on after the first-ball blow, but was dismissed two balls later when he charged the West Indies quick and edged him to slip.
Josh Inglis was keeping in Carey's place, following a subsequent concussion test. Carey was spotted at the ground in Jamaica on Monday.
After Australia's day started with that news, Cameron Green was bowled on the first ball of play when he left a Shamar Joseph delivery that seamed back in at him.
Green had appeared the only assured batter for Australia on Saturday, with his 42 at No. 3 following scores of 52 and 46 in his previous two innings.
Pat Cummins followed in the fourth over of the day, defending an Alzarri Joseph bouncer to Kevlon Anderson at short leg on five.
Scott Boland and Josh Hazlewood were then bowled by Shamar and Alzarri Joseph to finish the innings.
Australia have already wrapped up the Frank Worrell Trophy, but a 3-0 series victory would help set up their push to reclaim the World Test Championship in 2027.
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Courier-Mail
2 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
‘Cashing cheques': Footy boxing ‘sideshow' trashed as Tim Tszyu primed for ‘redemption'
Don't miss out on the headlines from Boxing/MMA. Followed categories will be added to My News. There are two fights in Australian boxing this week but the gulf in stakes and boxing class between the two couldn't be more stark. Tim Tszyu (25-2) takes on Sebastian Fundora (22-1) at the MGM Grand for the WBC superwelterweight title on Sunday, more than a year after Fundora handed the Aussie his first ever loss in a Las Vegas nightmare. Order the full Tszyu vs Fundora II fight card on Main Event, available on Kayo Sports. A nasty gash from an errant Fundora elbow opened up on Tszyu's forehead and blood poured out of the wound as Tszyu bravely fought on, going the distance. He lost on the scorecards and his year from hell continued when he got knocked out by Bakhram Murtazaliev last October, appearing spooked by the previous fight. But Tszyu, 30, got back in the winner's circle with a commanding stoppage win over Joey Spencer in April and now he has his sights set on getting revenge on Fundora, 27, after the 'Towering Inferno' threatened to derail his career. On the other side of the world, Paul Gallen, 43, and Sonny Bill Williams, 39, fight in Sydney on Wednesday night, finally getting in the ring together as the pair of retired footy players put a decade of bad blood on the line. Tim Tszyu gets his shot at a rematch after his bloody loss to Sebastian Fundora (right) last year. (Photo by) AFL great and boxing aficionado Jonathan Brown will be part of Main Event's coverage for Tszyu's fight in Las Vegas, and he told that fight is the one worth watching this week. 'Well Tim's fighting for a world title, so he's the best in the world,' Brown said. 'Good on Paul and Sonny for still having a crack and they're in magnificent condition. They had magnificent rugby league careers, and good luck to them. 'But if you're a true fight fan, even if you're not a fight fan, the Tszyu name is legendary in our country and Tim will further that. 'This is the top of the world. The best boxer in the world at this weight division.' Fox Sports voiceover guru Matt Nable sums up the dynamic about the two fights, which have the same $70 pay-per-view cost, in Main Event's hype package you can watch in the video above. 'If you want Australia's most important fight of the year, you've come to the right place,' Nable says. 'You get the sideshow. This ain't two old footy players cashing cheques long after careers ended. This is the world's biggest boxers in the most famous fighting city, with real world titles on the line. Sonny Bill Williams has talked a big game over the years. (Photo by) Paul Gallen is getting in the ring one last time. (Photo by) 'Australia's Tim Tszyu and Manny Pacquiao headline one monstrous event. And you won't get that anywhere else. 'Not one, but two massive world title fights. Yeah, you won't get that anywhere else.' Gallen has amassed an eye-watering fortune of more than $25 million from his boxing career, earning more from his 18 fights than he did from his NRL career. Williams and Gallen are set to pocket around $1 million each from this fight. Tszyu primed for 'redemption' The stage is set in Vegas this weekend for Tszyu to avenge his loss to Fundora and keep his dream of becoming undisputed boxing world champion alive. 'It's a huge opportunity,' Brown said. 'The journey Tim's been through, he lost those couple of fights — there were a lot of questions about whether he was good enough or able to get back there. 'The story of redemption is something that draws people in and that's why people should watch Tim fight. 'You need that defining moment as an athlete. Tim would have felt like he's been in the depths of hell over an 18-month period. 'He went over to Orlando with high expectations and got cleaned up by Murtazaliev, which would have been shattering. He had to take stock, rebuild himself and he's come out the other side and walked towards the fire. 'It's great the opportunity (of a rematch) has come quicker than expected — to be able to get revenge and get that belt back. The stage is set for Tim Tszyu's redemption story in Vegas. (Photo by) 'He was clearly the better fighter early in that fight against Fundora before the cut. Hopefully he can make amends, get that back and show what he's truly made of. 'To do it in Las Vegas is huge. He's got the family legacy. Hopefully he can put the Tszyu name in bright lights in his own right and Kostya's not just at the top, Tim goes to the top as well and mentioned in the same conversation. It's the biggest fight for an Australian in quite a while.' The height difference between Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu is large. It's a stacked card — Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is fighting Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title at 46 years of age in his first bout since he lost a title fight to Yordenis Ugas in 2021. 'I saw him fight Jeff Horn, which was amazing. One of the greatest sporting events I've ever been to at Suncorp Stadium,' Brown said. 'To see him in Las Vegas and be there for Tim is going to be pretty cool.' Manny Pacquiao trains ahead of his world title fight. Photo:/AFP. Also on the card is Mexican boxing star Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz, who takes on Angel Fierro at super lightweight. 'With Pitbull and Pacquiao fighting, it's a massive card,' Brown said. Brown was a fierce competitor on the field for the Brisbane Lions but he has no desire to fight, apart from the odd sparring session. 'I've put the shield down, it's been a long time,' Brown said. 'The last time I sparred was against my young fella, he's 12. He put one on me and my ear was ringing for about two nights. 'No plans to jump in the ring, certainly not anymore.' Coverage on Sunday begins with the prelims on Fox Sports at 7:30am and the PPV on Main Event at 10am. You can purchase the PPV here. TSZYU VS FUNDORA II FULL FIGHT CARD Tim Tszyu vs Sebastian Fundora (c) — for WBC super welterweight title Mario Barrios (c) vs Manny Pacquiao — for the WBC welterweight title Isaac Cruz vs Angel Fierro — super lightweight Brandon Figueroa vs Joet Gonzalez — featherweight Originally published as 'Cashing cheques': Footy boxing 'sideshow' trashed as Tim Tszyu primed for 'redemption'
7NEWS
2 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Aussie hero Mitchell Starc hailed for classy act immediately after destroying West Indies
Australian hero Mitchell Starc is being hailed for a classy act immediately after obliterating the West Indies with one of the greatest bowling performances ever seen in Test cricket. On a historic afternoon in Jamaica, Australia's quicks ran riot to wrap up a 176-run win and claim a 3-0 series sweep in the fight for the Frank Worrell Trophy. Scott Boland became only the 10th Australian to claim a Test hat-trick, but was remarkably not the headline act after Starc ripped the heart out of the hosts with figures of 6-9. The left-armer took three wickets in the first over of West Indies' second innings and claimed five in his first 15 balls to at one stage have them 5-7. Playing in his 100th Test, Starc also became the fourth Australian to reach the 400-wicket milestone, joining greats Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Nathan Lyon. Starc was named player of the series for his 15 wickets at 14.80. But instead of joining teammates in the rooms for celebrations after the post-match presentations, Starc spent 15 minutes talking about the art of fast bowling to West Indies quick Johann Layne. Prominent cricket commentator Bharat Sundaresan spotted the exchange. 'What a champion, Mitch Starc. 100th Test, 3 wickets in an over, 400th wicket & then he spends 15 minutes chatting with young West Indian quick Johann Layne about fast bowling before finally going back to the rooms, where the rest of the Aussie team wait for him,' he wrote. Fans immediately hailed Starc for the classy gesture. 'What an absolute bloke! I hope he stays around for 3-4 more years,' one said. 'Sportsmanship at its finest right here. Love to see it,' another said. 'Legend - and pure cricketer. Doesn't get caught up in all the outside social media nonsense,' another added. Speaking to reporters on-field after the match, Starc was asked what his highlight of the day was. 'It will come when Alex (Carey) decides to sing the team song,' he responded. Captain Pat Cummins hailed the 'bonkers' performance. 'A three-wicket maiden in the first over of a Test innings is just bonkers,' he said. 'He was on fire. A lot of the chat leading into this week is how resilient you need to be and professional to play 100 Tests. 'But I think that's the Starcy I always remember playing alongside. He can tear a game open by himself in the matter of a couple of overs.' Starc's 15-ball five-wicket haul marked the fastest by any bowler in Test history, eclipsing the previous record of 19 from Ernie Toshack, Stuart Broad and Boland. The 35-year-old also became the second man to take three wickets in the opening over of a Test innings, striking when he had John Campbell caught behind first ball. He then trapped Kevlon Anderson when the right-hander left a ball that tailed in at him, before bowling Brandon King with the last delivery of the over. Starc's assault continued with his 400th and 401st Test scalps at the start of his third over, both Mikyle Louis and Shai Hope gone lbw. At that point, Starc had figures of 5-2, with the only runs off him coming via the outside edge of Hope's bat and through the slips. Starc could have had a sixth victim in his opening five-over spell before tea, had Sam Konstas not grassed a chance at third slip to remove Alzarri Joseph. But that opened the door for Boland to take Australia's first Test hat-trick since Peter Siddle in 2010. Called in for Lyon, the Victorian edged off Justin Greaves, had Shamar Joseph lbw and bowled Jomel Warrican in consecutive balls. 'I was a bit nervous bowling that last ball,' Boland admitted. 'It's an amazing feeling. Starcy set us up there, and I have never been involved in a game where we bowled a team out for 27.' MITCHELL STARC'S SPELL OF DESTRUCTION IN KINGSTON 0.1 - Starts his haul immediately when he swings the ball away from left-hander John Campbell and has him caught behind by Josh Inglis, with Alex Carey off the field concussed. 0.2 - Sends a ball wide down legside to right-hander Kevlon Anderson. 0.3 - Angles one across the right-hander Anderson's body, going straight on past the off stump. 0.4 - Another straight one, this time delivered in at Anderson's middle stump. It's defended. 0.5 - Swings a full ball back in at Anderson, who attempts to leave and is hit on the pad. Anderson bizarrely reviews the lbw decision, but ball-tracking shows it hit him on off and is striking middle stump a third of the way up. 0.6 - Moves it marginally back into right-hander Brandon King, taking his inside edge before the ball rattles into the stumps. Starc becomes only second bowler in history to take three wickets in the first over of Test innings. 2.1 - After his second over was a maiden, Starc takes his 400th wicket when he swings a ball back into the back pad of Mikyle Louis. The left-armer raises the ball aloft, joining Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Nathan Lyon as Australians with 400-plus wickets. 2.2 - Starc finally concedes a run, with Shai Hope edging a ball that falls just short of Josh Inglis and goes for two. 2.3 - Hope is out next ball, when Starc cannons a ball into his front pad with the left-hander caught on the crease. Hope reviews, but ball-tracking shows it taking out his off stump. Starc's five-wicket haul is complete inside 15 balls. 3.5 - Misses out on a sixth scalp when he angles a ball across the body of Alzarri Joseph, gets the right-hander's edge and it flies to the right of Sam Konstas at third slip. Konstas sticks out his hand, but is unable to hold onto it. 4.6 - Starc's spell is interrupted by the tea break, but he has already ripped the heart out of West Indies and all but ensured they will not chase down 204 for victory. 5.2 - Unlucky not to have another one in the first over after tea, when Joesph fends a ball to the legside and it falls just short of Travis Head at short leg. 6.4 - Konstas denies Starc a sixth wicket again, when Joseph edges to third slip for a second time and the teenager puts down an easier chance. 7.3 - After Scott Boland claimed a hat-trick at the other end, Starc finishes off the Test, and series, by a swinging a ball back into left-hander Jayden Seales and clean bowling him. Starc ends with career-best figures of 6-9 and West Indies are all out for 27 in 14.3 overs.
Sky News AU
3 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Scott Boland's glittering Test cameo with hat-trick against West Indies
His restrained celebration may have said it all. Scott Boland celebrated his hat-trick on the third day of the third Test against West Indies as if it was a routine wicket for Victoria at the Junction Oval. After knocking over Jomel Warrican, Boland coolly raised a finger in his follow through and rejoiced with teammates. Perhaps emblematic of the player, there was no solo acceleration to the vacant outfield or 'me time'. 'I don't really know what to make of it, we were just saying it was celebrating just like it was a normal wicket but it was a hat-trick,' Australian captain Pat Cummins said with a laugh. Boland has not put a foot wrong in the Test arena with 62 wickets at an average of 16.53. But his selection for the third Test over spinner Nathan Lyon marks just the second time he has been given the nod over a fit player. And despite another glittering performance, the nature of Boland's status among the generational Aussie bowling quartet will likely have him on the outer for the Ashes opener in Perth. Cummins said 'I'd say never say never, but (it's) pretty unlikely' when asked if the Aussies would implement the four-quick tactic again. Boland had accepted his 14th Test, a first alongside the three Aussie quicks, was 'probably going to be a one-off' before his final-day heroics. 'Probably not; you can see when 'Gaz' (Nathan Lyon) bowls with the pink ball, especially in Adelaide, he gets it to bounce and spin a lot,' he said earlier in the Test. 'It's probably going to be a one-off. I'd like to play as many games as I could – especially with those three guys. 'But I probably see it going back, especially once we get 'Greeny' (Cameron Green) back bowling for the summer.' Former Test opener and Boland's Victorian coach, Chris Rogers, last week told NewsWire the seamer would 'have peace' knowing he was a star at the highest level. 'You just had to bide your time, wait for your opportunities and take them when you can – that's all you can control,' Rogers said. 'I will say for Scotty it would be frustrating but equally at least he's had the opportunity, shown he's good enough 'He'll reflect back and say, 'I was good enough at that level, there were just three other bowlers who were exceptional at the same time'. He'll have peace with that. 'It'll still be frustrating, but he knows every time he gets the ball in his hand he has to be amazing and he is. I think that's the credit to him.' Boland has often spoken about his readiness to play every Test despite being an unlikely selection. Rogers said that enthusiasm about the game filtered to all levels. 'I think the thing about Scotty, and what you want other players to see, is his floor is almost the same height as his ceiling,' he said. 'That's what being a professional is about and he does that because he is a fantastic professional. 'For Victoria, every time you have him in it's almost like grab a bunch of the bowlers and look what he's doing – he's amazing when we have him around. 'The interesting thing about him is he will be messaging me or the bowling coach every half an hour during the games when he's watching on TV. 'You know (asking), 'What's happening? Maybe we should be doing this'. He's fully engaged and so committed … that's exactly what you want from one of your players and leaders.' Originally published as Scott Boland produces another glittering Test cameo with a hat-trick against West Indies
