Mitchell Starc Shatters Test Cricket Record with Fastest Five-Wicket Haul

Mitchell Starc carved his name into cricket history on Monday with an electrifying spell that devastated the West Indies’ batting lineup in Kingston. In just 15 balls, Starc delivered the fastest five-wicket haul ever recorded in Test matches, propelling Australia to a commanding 176-run victory in the third Test and sealing an emphatic 3-0 series sweep. His extraordinary feat captivated cricket fans worldwide and set a new benchmark for bowling excellence in the sport’s longest format.

Starc’s Spell: A Masterclass in Fast Bowling

The drama unfolded from the very first delivery of the West Indies’ second innings. Starc, brimming with energy and precision, enticed John Campbell into edging an outswinger to wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, setting the tone for what was to follow. Four balls later, debutant Kevlon Anderson left a delivery that jagged back to hit his pad, falling lbw and leaving the home side reeling. Brandon King was next to go, edging a delivery onto his stumps—West Indies had lost three wickets without a run on the board.

Starc’s relentless assault continued as he trapped Mikyle Louis lbw, a wicket that carried extra significance as it made him just the fourth Australian bowler to claim 400 Test wickets, joining the legendary ranks of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, and Nathan Lyon. Without pause, Starc struck again two balls later, trapping Shai Hope lbw. In a matter of just 15 deliveries, Starc had carved through the top order, and his figures read an astonishing 6-9 by the close of his spell.

A Record-Breaking Performance

Starc’s destruction of the West Indies top order was not just breathtaking; it was historic. He surpassed the previous record for the fastest five-wicket haul in Test cricket, which stood at 19 balls and was jointly held by Ernie Toshack (1947), Stuart Broad (2015), and Scott Boland (2021). Starc’s 15-ball masterclass eclipsed all these efforts, setting a new standard for future generations.

The West Indies, under immense pressure, staggered to 22-6 at tea, needing 182 runs for victory but teetering on the brink of a historic low. They had to muster five more runs to avoid equaling New Zealand’s infamous record for the lowest Test total—26 against England in 1955. The tension was palpable, and the cricketing world watched with bated breath as the drama intensified.

Australia Complete Dominant Series Sweep

The spectacle was far from over as Scott Boland, fresh from witnessing Starc’s heroics, joined the action. Boland delivered his own piece of magic, claiming a hat-trick by removing Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph, and Jomel Warrican in successive deliveries. Suddenly, West Indies were 26-9, tied with New Zealand’s lowest-ever Test score. With only one run standing between them and cricketing infamy, Jayden Seales managed to bring up the total to 27 before Starc returned to finish the job, bowling Seales and sealing a crushing win for Australia.

Earlier in the day, the Australian batting lineup had suffered their own collapse, dismissed for 121—their lowest score against West Indies in 30 years. Alzarri Joseph starred for the hosts with career-best figures of 5-27, while Shamar Joseph contributed 4-34.

Starc’s remarkable spell not only cemented his place among the greats of Australian cricket but also provided a memorable finale to Australia’s dominant series. His combination of pace, skill, and accuracy left cricket fans and experts in awe, and his record-breaking performance will be remembered for years to come.