'Amazing' Mitchell Starc claims quickest five-wicket haul in Test history, joins 400 club as Australia knock over West Indies for 27
By Matt Jones
Updated 15/07/2025 at 12:44 GMT+1
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Mitchell Starc produced a historic spell of bowling on day three of Australia's third and final Test match against West Indies in Jamaica. The hosts had been set a target of 204 to win, but were left reeling when the left-arm bowler took three wickets in the first over, and produced a five-wicket haul within just 15 deliveries, the quickest in Test match cricket.
‘He has the ball on a string’ – Starc stuns West Indies with three wickets in a single over
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mitchell Starc made history during Australia's Test in Jamaica, as he took the quickest five-wicket haul in the format's history and West Indies were bowled out for 27.
The left-arm bowler reached the milestone in just 15 deliveries, four fewer than the previous best for the landmark.
It helped the tourists, who already held an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, blast through a beleaguered top order, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Earlier, West Indies had dismissed their opponents for 121, setting up a chase of 204 for what would have been a famous victory.
But any hopes of them being successful were banished when Starc reduced the hosts to 7-5, including three wickets in the first over.
At that point, the Australian bowler had the quite ludicrous figures of five for two.
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"A five-wicket haul in 2.3 overs. Things dreams are made of, and in your 100th Test as well," said commentator Samuel Badree.
"The bowlers have been remarkable and the batting, for the sixth time now [in the series] is not really standing up to the scrutiny."
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‘Absolute champion’ Starc makes history as Australia destroy West Indies on ‘remarkable day’
Video credit: TNT Sports
Starc struck with the first ball of the innings when John Campbell edged behind to stand-in wicket-keeper Josh Inglis.
A few deliveries later, Kevlon Anderson was dismissed after incredibly shouldering arms to a ball that would have cannoned into middle stump, had his front pad not been in the way.
The next ball, Brandon King was bowled, leaving West Indies 0-3 after the first over.
The 35-year-old then returned in his next over to account for Mikyle Louis, who had at least scored four runs before being trapped in front, while the five-wicket haul was completed when Shai Hope became a third LBW victim - with the flurry of victims taking Starc into the 400-club.
"It couldn't happen to a nicer bloke," said Starc's former Australia team-mate Brad Haddin on TNT Sports.
"He celebrated his 100th Test match this week. The way he's bowled today...just look at that scorecard. He's brought up his 400th Test wicket.
"We've seen some high-quality fast bowling in this series, but nothing of the high class of what Mitchell Starc has delivered in the last 15 minutes.
"It's been absolutely amazing and a pleasure to watch. Whoever is writing Mitchell Starc's script, it could not go better to plan.
"It has been absolutely first-class swing bowling. The style in which he has got them has been a pleasure to watch."
Per Cricinfo, the previous best for a five-wicket haul was 19 deliveries, a record jointly held by England's Stuart Broad and Australian pair Ernie Toshack and Scott Boland, the latter of whom is also playing in this match.
Two of those came in Ashes Test matches; Broad against Australia at Trent Bridge in 2015, and Boland's stunning MCG spell when England went Down Under in 2021.
Toshack, on the other hand, wrote his name into history against India in 1947.
"Lovely human being," said commentator and former West Indies quick Ian Bishop of Starc. "Top man, I'm not afraid to say that.
"He has taken the five-wicket haul in the least number of deliveries ever. In Test history. 15 deliveries. Good guys still win."
Haddin added: "The one trait that Mitchell Starc has that I love about him is the time he gives. He gives time to opposition, he gives time to kids.
"And he also has made a lot of sacrifices to be here. He's [been] the No. 1 white-ball bowler in the world for a long time, but he's always chosen Test cricket."
Boland was in no mood to be put in the shade, as he took a hat-trick to reduce West Indies to 26-9.
The lowest score in Test history was 26, by New Zealand against England in 1955, but West Indies edged past that score when Alzarri Joseph squirted a single.
One ball later, Starc cleaned up Jayden Seales for his sixth wicket of the innings as West Indies were rolled over for 27.
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