West Indies Register Unwanted Record After Clean-sweep to Australia

Australia completed a 3-0 series sweep against the West Indies with a huge win in the third Test at Kingston, Jamaica, on Monday. The match ended with a shocking collapse by the West Indies, who were bowled out for just 27 runs in their second innings. This is the second-lowest total in Test cricket history.
Mitchell Starc was the star of the match. He took six wickets for just nine runs in the second innings of the match. Starc also reached two major milestones. He completed his 400th Test wicket in his 100th Test match. He also recorded the fastest five-wicket haul in Test history, taking five wickets in just 15 balls.

West Indies Lowest Score in Test Cricket

West Indies narrowly avoided the lowest-ever Test total but still created an unwanted record. The score of 27 is West Indies lowest score in Test cricket history. The lowest score in Tests still belongs to New Zealand, who were bowled out for 26 runs against England in 1955. A misfield by 19-year-old Sam Konstas allowed West Indies to reach 27.

Scott Boland made sure there was no late resistance. His hat-trick wiped out the tail. He ended with figures of 3 wickets for 2 runs. Starc bowled Jayden Seales for a duck to end the match. Boland added to the damage by taking a hat-trick. He dismissed Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph, and Jomel Warrican in three consecutive balls. This was only the 10th hat-trick by an Australian in Test cricket history.

The match ended quickly as West Indies innings lasted only 14.3 overs. They were chasing a target of 204 runs after Australia were bowled out for 121 earlier in the day. But the home side had no answer to Starc’s fiery spell under the lights at Sabina Park.

Mitchell Starc Picks Six Wickets, Scott Boland Hat Trick

Starc started the destruction by dismissing opener John Campbell on the very first ball of the innings. Josh Inglis, the concussion substitute for Alex Carey, took the catch. Carey had been hit on the helmet by Alzarri Joseph on Day 2 and did not take the field. Starc then dismissed Kevlon Anderson and Brandon King in the same over. He was close to a hat-trick but missed it. Still, his incredible spell left the West Indies struggling at 11 for 6.

Only four of the eleven West Indies batters scored any runs. Their top six batters scored just six runs combined, not counting extras. The collapse was so quick that the match ended before sunset on Day 3. Mitchell Starc six wickets and Scott Boland hat trick were enough to knock out the hosts.

Earlier, Australia had struggled as well. Alzarri Joseph took 5 wickets for 27 runs, as Australia were bowled out for 121 in their second innings. They had started the day at 99 for 6 but added only 22 runs more. Joseph’s effort gave the West Indies a small chance, but their batters failed badly.

Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc said it was a tough series for batters due to difficult conditions. “It’s been a fantastic series. We saw the challenge of the pink ball under lights. It was tough batting. But it’s been enjoyable and I’ll go home with a smile,” he said after the match.

West Indies captain Roston Chase admitted it was a disappointing end. “It’s a heartbreaking way to finish,” he said. “The bowlers gave it their all, but our batting failed again.”

Australia had earlier won the first Test in Barbados by 159 runs and the second Test in Grenada by 133 runs. This third Test win by 176 runs sealed a perfect series for Australia and a forgettable one for the West Indies.