4 days ago
'Greatest in history': Starc stuns with feat never seen before in 148 years
Mitchell Starc has taken the fastest five-wicket haul in 148 years of Test cricket history, decimating the West Indies in a stunning spell in Jamaica. Australia were bowled out for 121 early on day three of the day-night Test, setting the Windies 204 for victory.
But Starc put any thought of a West Indies victory to bed in the very first over. The superstar paceman dismissed John Campbell on the first delivery of the innings, and also sent Kevlon Anderson and Brandon King packing in a triple-wicket maiden first over.
The hosts were 3-0 after the first six deliveries, and it only got worse. They were reduced to 5-7 when Starc got Shai Hope (2) and Mikyle Louis (4) in his third over, completing a five-wicket haul in just 2.3 overs (15 balls).
It marked the fewest deliveries to complete a five-wicket haul in Test cricket history, breaking the previous record of 19 balls. Ernie Toshack achieved the feat in 19 balls in 1947, as did Stuart Broad in 2015 and Scott Boland in 2021 on debut at the MCG.
Starc's fourth wicket of the innings took him to 400 for his career, and it came in his 100th match. Aussie great Brad Haddin described it as "ridiculous" bowling in commentary for ESPN, while Greg Blewett said it was the best he'd ever seen Starc bowl.
Social media was also abuzz, with cricket writer Bharat Sundaresan commenting at the ground: "We've seen the Mitch Starc takes a wicket in his first over movie dozens of times over 100 Tests now but that was probably the most dramatic and incredible version of it. Three wickets and each one of them a Starc classic."
When Josh Hazlewood got Roston Chase for a duck, the Windies were 6-11 in disastrous scenes. Starc has joined Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563) and Nathan Lyon (562) as the only Australians in Test cricket history with 400-plus wickets. Starc became the 18th player from all countries to achieve the staggering feat, and just the third left-armer.
With 100 Tests and 400 wickets in the bag, Mitchell Starc went on to set a new record ⚡#WIvAUS
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 14, 2025
Mitchell Starc has just produced the greatest opening spell in Test history.🐐
— Rafi (@rafi4999) July 14, 2025
Mitchell Starc is living proof that a bowler's legacy isn't defined by stats. Even those with better averages couldn't pull off what he does
— ` (@chixxsays) July 14, 2025
Earlier, Australia had slumped to their lowest total against the West Indies since Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose were wreaking havoc in 1995. But even after being skittled for 121, you had the sense the 204-run target would be out of reach for the Windies.
It was Alzarri and Shamar Joseph who did the damage with the ball for the hosts, with the former claiming 5-27 after dominating under lights on day two. It then took just eight overs for the West Indies' quicks to take the final four wickets on Monday afternoon (Tuesday Aussie time), with Shamar Joseph finishing with 4-34.
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Alex Carey was unable to keep wicket for Australia in the fourth innings after he was diagnosed with a concussion after being struck in the head by Alzarri Joseph on day two. Carey passed an on-field tests after the initial blow, but was dismissed two balls later when he charged the West Indies quick and edged him to slip.
Josh Inglis came in as Carey's substitute, and took two early catches on day three. Carey was spotted at the ground in Jamaica on Monday, and appeared to be in good spirits.
with AAP
