Mitchell Starc claimed six wickets for nine runs and Scott Boland secured a hat-trick as Australia bowled out West Indies for 27 runs, the second-lowest total in test cricket history, securing a 176-run victory in the third test at Kingston, Jamaica on Monday. The win completed Australia’s 3-0 series sweep of the Frank Worrell Trophy.Starc’s remarkable performance included the fastest five-wicket haul in test history within his first 15 balls, marking his 15th five-wicket innings in tests. He took three wickets in his first over, including a wicket with the first ball of West Indies’ second innings.The day-night test at Sabina Park concluded in just 14.3 overs as Australia dominated the West Indies batting lineup. Starc also achieved his 400th career test wicket in his 100th test match.“It’s been a fantastic series. I think we’ve seen some difficult batting conditions throughout,” Starc said. “It’s been a good few days, very enjoyable and I’ll go home with a smile on my face. We saw last night the conditions with the hard pink ball under lights. It’s pretty difficult. We didn’t think it would happen as quickly today, until the sun went down a bit.”While Starc missed a hat-trick opportunity after dismissing Kevlon Anderson and Brandon King consecutively, Boland achieved his hat-trick by taking the wickets of Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph, and Jomel Warrican. This marked the 10th test hat-trick by an Australian.The West Indies narrowly avoided setting the record for the lowest score in test cricket history, currently held by New Zealand’s 26 runs against England in Auckland in 1955. A misfield by 19-year-old Sam Konstas allowed West Indies to reach 27 runs.
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Earlier in the day, Alzarri Joseph took 5-27 as West Indies bowled out Australia for 121 in their second innings, setting a target of 204 runs. Australia’s innings lasted only eight more overs after starting Day 3 at 99-6.Starc’s exceptional bowling display began with opener John Campbell’s dismissal, caught by concussion substitute wicketkeeper Josh Inglis. Inglis replaced Alex Carey, who was struck on the helmet by Alzarri Joseph while batting on Day 2.The West Indies quickly collapsed to 11-6, with their top six batters collectively scoring only six runs, excluding extras. Only four of the eleven batters managed to score runs.“It’s been a heartbreaking way to finish,” said West Indies captain Roston Chase, who acknowledged his bowlers’ strong performance but noted the batting lineup’s struggles.The series victory followed Australia’s previous wins in Barbados by 159 runs and in Grenada by 133 runs. Boland finished with figures of three wickets for two runs.The West Indies’ total of 27 surpassed their previous lowest test score of 47 against England at the same venue in 2004. The team was 22-6 at the dinner break and managed to survive two dropped catches in the slips by Sam Konstas off Starc’s bowling.Starc completed his six-wicket haul by bowling Jayden Searles for a duck, bringing the match to a close inside three days.
