Mitchell Starc makes history with fiery six-wicket haul against West Indies

Starc claimed 6 wickets for just 9 runs in the second innings

PHOTO: AP

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc delivered a sensational performance in his 100th Test match, leading Australia to a 176-run win over the West Indies at Sabina Park and completing a 3-0 series whitewash.

The 35-year-old left-arm pacer made history by overtaking Brett Lee to become Australia’s third-highest wicket-taker across all formats. Starc claimed his 719th international wicket on Day 1 of the third Test by removing Kevlon Anderson, surpassing Lee’s tally of 718 wickets in just 292 matches compared to Lee’s 322.

Australia’s top wicket-takers in international cricket:

Shane Warne – 1001
Glenn McGrath – 949
Mitchell Starc – 725*
Brett Lee – 718
Nathan Lyon – 592*

Starc’s total includes 402 Test wickets (in 100 Tests), 244 in ODIs (127 matches), and 79 in T20Is (65 matches), showing his consistency across all formats.

With his brilliant display in the third Test, Starc also remained fourth on Australia's all-time Test wicket-takers list, finishing the match with 402 wickets.

Australia’s top Test wicket-takers:

Shane Warne – 708
Glenn McGrath – 563
Nathan Lyon – 562*
Mitchell Starc – 402*
Dennis Lillee – 355

Starc's historic spell was highlighted by his career-best figures of 6 for 9 in the second innings. Bowling with the pink ball under lights, he tore through the West Indies top order, starting with the very first delivery of the innings.

He dismissed John Campbell on the first ball, followed by Kevlon Anderson (LBW) and Brandon King (bowled) in the same over, leaving the hosts at 0 for 3. In his third over, he trapped Mikyle Louis LBW to claim his 400th Test wicket, becoming only the fourth Australian to reach the milestone after Warne, McGrath, and Lyon.

Two balls later, Starc dismissed Shai Hope to complete his five-wicket haul in just 15 balls — the fastest five-wicket haul from the start of a Test innings in history. He broke the previous record of 19 balls shared by Ernie Toshack, Stuart Broad, and Scott Boland.

Fastest five-wicket hauls in Test cricket:

15 balls – Mitchell Starc vs WI, Kingston, 2025
19 balls – Ernie Toshack vs IND, Brisbane, 1947
19 balls – Stuart Broad vs AUS, Nottingham, 2015
19 balls – Scott Boland vs ENG, Melbourne, 2021
21 balls – Shane Watson vs SA, Cape Town, 2011

The West Indies were bowled out for just 27 runs in 14.3 overs — the second-lowest total in Test cricket history. They narrowly avoided being dismissed for the all-time lowest score of 26, saved only by a misfield from Sam Konstas.

Josh Hazlewood chipped in with a key wicket, while Scott Boland added further pain by taking a hat-trick after tea — removing Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph, and Jomel Warrican in three consecutive balls.

Starc returned to take the final wicket, putting an end to one of the most dominant bowling performances ever seen in a Test match.

Earlier, Australia had been bowled out for 121 in their second innings, setting the West Indies a target of 204, which they failed to chase — collapsing to 27 all out.