West Indies subside to 27 all out as Mitchell Starc and Australia run riot
The home side's score was the lowest total the West Indies have ever mustered at this level. They only eclipsed the worst score ever recorded by a Test team — New Zealand's 26 against England in 1955 — by one run, courtesy of a misfield by Sam Konstas in the gully before Starc completed the rout.
Advertisement
The Australian left-armer ended with Test best figures of 6-9, taking three wickets in his first over to leave the home side 0-3 chasing 204 for victory and completing the quickest five-wicket haul in Test history in terms of balls delivered — 15.
Starc, playing his 100th Test, passed the 400-wicket milestone when he trapped Mikyle Louis leg before wicket for four.
Australia ended up winning what had, after three innings, been a relatively tight day-night Test match by an emphatic 176 runs even before the lights were turned on on the third day.
'It's been a fantastic series,' said Starc. 'We've seen some difficult batting conditions throughout, but it's been a good few days. Very enjoyable. I go home with a smile on my face. Our bowling attack has been pretty on the money throughout the series. Today it was like that again.'
'When you talk about 100 Tests, you talk about resilience, skill and fitness, but today he showed the real Mitchell Starc and what he can bring to a team,' said Australia's captain, Pat Cummins. 'Out of nowhere, he can tear an opposition apart and win a game for you.
'He does it consistently in any format, and I'm very lucky he's on our team.'
Boland became the 10th Australian to claim a Test hat-trick by removing Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph and Jomel Warrican with successive deliveries. 'He's amazing, isn't he,' added Starc. 'He would have played so many more Test matches in another team. But every time he comes in he's on the money, as you saw this week. He's never far from the perfect length.
'He got his opportunity this week and showed what a wonderful Test bowler he is.'
Australia's win completed their 3-0 series win following the 159-run success in Bridgetown, Barbados and 133 runs in St George's, Grenada.
Click here to read more cricket stories on The Athletic, and follow Global Sports on The Athletic app via the Discover tab.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
England recall Dawson to squad for fourth Test
Spinner Liam Dawson is in line to play his first Test for eight years after being called into the England squad for the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford. Left-armer Dawson, 35, is recalled after off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was ruled out of the rest of the series with a broken finger. Advertisement Dawson's selection means fellow left-armer Jack Leach, who has an England central contract, has been overlooked. Leach was replaced as England's first-choice spinner by Bashir last year, but still played three Tests in Pakistan and was part of the squad that toured New Zealand over the winter. For Dawson, this is a hard-earned call-up and reward for some outstanding form in domestic cricket. The Hampshire man has been named the Professional Cricketers' Association player of the year in each of the past two seasons. Part of the England squad that won the 2019 World Cup, he was overlooked by England for three years before making his international return in the T20 series against West Indies earlier this summer. More to follow.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jadeja hailed for taking India close but Gavaskar rues lack of risk
India's Ravindra Jadeja was left high and dry on an unbeaten 61 after running out of partners (Ben STANSALL) Ravindra Jadeja was praised Tuesday for almost taking India to an unlikely Test win at Lord's, but former greats said a little more risk-taking with the bat might have got his side over the line. Jadeja, batting at number seven, hit a painstaking unbeaten 61 as he shepherded the tail from 112-8 at lunch chasing 193 for victory against England in the third Test. Advertisement But he eventually ran out of partners after more than four hours at the crease as India were all out for 170 after tea on a nerve-shredding final day. Jadeja, who came in at 71-5 and saw India slump to 112-8 at lunch, chose to protect Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj from England's attack by scoring singles to keep the strike and controlling his attacking instincts. Former batting great Sunil Gavaskar said on Sony Sports that scoring quicker and putting pressure back on England's bowlers might have resulted in "a partnership of 60-70 would have made a difference". "India never got that (partnership)," he said. Advertisement "You could say that Jadeja could have taken the odd chance and not necessarily the aerial route when Joe Root and Shoaib Bashir were bowling. But full marks to him (Jadeja)." Jadeja hit just four fours and one six in his 181-ball stay before Bashir bowled number 11 Siraj to trigger jubilant England celebrations. "I'd like to look a little deeper into that whole innings," former batsman Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo. "There was one attempt at playing a shot that went for six. "But I don't think there were too many attempted attacking shots. "For me, one telling moment was when he got to his fifty and India were still a few runs short. Advertisement "You saw the reaction of the dressing room there were people applauding but I don't think there was excitement around and belief that Jadeja would take them through." India's greatest batsman Sachin Tendulkar lamented: "So near, yet so far." "Jadeja, Bumrah, & Siraj fought all the way till the end," he posted on X. "Well tried, Team India. England played well to keep the pressure on and produced the result they desired. Congratulations on a hard-fought win." England lead the series 2-1 with two to play. The fourth Test starts at Manchester's Old Trafford on July 23. fk/dh
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mitchell Starc spotted in stunning act for West Indies rival after sad scenes
Mitchell Starc has shown his class after his spellbinding display against the West Indies having spent time with a young bowler after the match before joining his team's celebrations. Starc stole the show during his 7.3 overs in Kingston having taken 6-9 with the pink ball to hand Australia a 3-0 series victory over the home side. Starc has always enjoyed bowling with the pink ball in Aussie conditions and he replicated his success in the West Indies having recorded career-best figures. His spell marked the fewest deliveries by a bowler to complete a five-wicket haul in Test cricket history. Starc's fourth wicket also took him to 400 for his career, and it came in his 100th match. The Aussies had plenty to celebrate after the series victory with runs coming at a premium throughout the series for both teams. No player scored more than 75 runs in the series. Brandon King scored 75 in the second match. And instead of immediately heading down the tunnel to celebrate with his teammates, Starc took the time to chat with one of the young West Indies bowlers. Starc stayed on the field and discussed fast bowling with 19-year-old Johann Layne after the match. Leading cricket reporter Bharat Sundaresan said the Aussie spent 15 minutes sharing advice to the youngster before going back to the dressing rooms where the side was waiting for him. Layne is an emerging right arm-bowler and has featured for the West Indies A side during his short first-class career. This is also not the first time Starc has spent time with the emerging stars of cricket during the series. Ahead of the first clash in Barbados last month, Starc was seen sharing some tips as a left-arm bowler to the local net bowlers. Starc was seen speaking to a junior of the Windward Cricket Club about techniques as a left-arm quick. And giving his time to the next generation of superstars has not gone unnoticed by Sundaresan with Starc a popular character on tour in the West Indies. 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 #WIvAus — Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) July 14, 2025 Always my favourite part of nets sessions at club grounds. Elite cricketers taking time out to have a chat with the local net bowlers. Mitch Starc must have spent nearly 20 minutes with this young left-armer here at Windward Cricket Club in Barbados #WIvAus — Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) June 21, 2025 Starc finished with 6-9 off 7.3 overs as the Windies were bowled out for just 27 - the second lowest total in Test cricket history. The hosts avoided the lowest-ever total by just one run. Scott Boland was also making history having taken a hat-trick with 3-2 off just two overs. He became the first player to take a hat-trick in a pink-ball Test. Starc joined Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563) and Nathan Lyon (562) as the only Australians in Test cricket history with 400-plus wickets. He also became the 18th player from all countries to achieve the staggering feat, and just the third left-armer. "We didn't think things would start going our way with the ball today until the sun went down a bit," Starc said having won the player-of-the-match award. "But anyway our bowling attack has been pretty much on the money throughout the series," he added. RELATED: Pat Cummins makes call on Sam Konstas after struggles continue Marnus Labuschagne spotted in strange moment amid Aussie win Boland was a surprise inclusion in the side having replaced Nathan Lyon as the extra-bowler for the day-night clash with the pitches favouring the quicks in the West Indies. And Australia's call paid dividends after Boland's insane spell to finish the match. With the West Indies reeling, Boland took over after the tea break dismissing Justin Greaves (11), Shamar Joseph (0) and Jomel Warrican (0) in consecutive deliveries in the 14th over. Boland became just the 10th Australian to achieve a Test match hat-trick. The Aussies claimed dropping Lyon was a one-off decision based on the wickets that have played against the West Indies. Although Boland continues to push for permanent selection on wickets that favour the quicks
