Mitchell Starc Makes History: 400 Test Wickets in 100th Match

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc delivered a breathtaking performance as the West Indies collapsed to just 27 runs, suffering one of the worst defeats in Test cricket history. This was the second-lowest total ever recorded in a Test match, and it led to a massive 176-run loss for the West Indies in the final Test at Sabina Park on Monday.

Chasing a target of 204 runs, the West Indies crumbled under pressure. Seven of their batters failed to score even a single run, getting out for ducks. Starc was unstoppable, finishing with amazing bowling figures of 6 wickets for just 9 runs, while fellow pacer Scott Boland took a hat-trick, adding more misery for the home team.

Australia Completes Series Whitewash

This win means that Australia swept the three-match series 3-0, after already winning the previous Tests in Barbados and Grenada. As a result, they comfortably retained the historic Frank Worrell Trophy. The entire series showcased Australia’s dominant bowling attack and the West Indies’ struggling batting lineup.

Starc Reaches 400 Test Wickets

This match was extra special for Mitchell Starc, as he reached the incredible milestone of 400 Test wickets during this game. He now becomes one of only a few bowlers in history to achieve this feat. His deadly spell in the second innings turned the match on its head, wiping out any chance the West Indies had to fight back.

Speaking after the match, Starc said,

“We didn’t expect things to go our way with the ball until the sun went down a bit. But overall, our bowling was spot on throughout the series.”

He was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series, showing just how vital he was in Australia’s clean sweep.

West Indies Captain Admits Batting Struggles

West Indies captain Royston Chase admitted that his team’s batting was a major disappointment.

“Our bowlers did their job and kept us in the game, but the batting let us down again and again,” he said. “We have to seriously work on our batting if we want to compete at this level.”

The West Indies now look ahead to a five-match T20I series, starting soon, but they’ll need a massive turnaround in form.

West Indies Bowlers Had a Bright Moment Too

Earlier in the day, it looked like the West Indies might have a fighting chance. Australia was bowled out for just 121 runs in their second innings — their lowest score against West Indies in over 30 years.

Alzarri Joseph was the standout bowler for the hosts, picking up 5 wickets for 27 runs, his best performance in a Test match. Shamar Joseph also impressed again, taking 4 wickets for 34 runs, ending the series with 22 wickets and crossing the 50-wicket milestone in his short Test career.

Starc’s Opening Spell Crushed the Windies

But all the good work by the West Indies bowlers quickly faded as Starc began his spell in the second innings. In just his first over, he removed John Campbell with the very first ball, then dismissed debutant Kevlon Anderson and Brandon King on back-to-back deliveries.

Starc’s 400th wicket came when he trapped Mikyle Louis lbw. At that point, the scoreboard read 5 runs for 4 wickets, and Starc had taken 4 wickets without conceding a single run.

He finally gave away his first runs off Shai Hope’s outside edge but got his fifth wicket immediately after by trapping him leg-before-wicket.

Starc completed his five-wicket haul in just 15 balls — the fastest in Test match history.

The West Indies lost their sixth wicket with Captain Royston Chase edging to the keeper off Josh Hazlewood, making it 11 for 6 — a shocking scoreline.

Things got even worse in the second session. Scott Boland came on and bowled Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph, and Jomel Warrican on three consecutive deliveries to take a brilliant Test hat-trick — one of cricket’s rarest and most special moments.

This was a complete and dominant performance from Australia, especially with the ball. They showed why they are one of the best Test teams in the world, while the West Indies now face serious questions about their batting lineup.

With the T20 series coming up, the West Indies must regroup quickly. For now, though, this crushing defeat at Sabina Park will be a hard pill to swallow.

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