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Starc’s 6-for-9 Shocks West Indies as Australia Sweep Test Series 3-0

Starc’s 6-for-9 Shocks West Indies as Australia Sweep Test Series 3-0

Australia’s Dominant Performance in the Third Test

In a stunning display of fast bowling, Mitchell Starc delivered one of the most remarkable spells in Test cricket history, taking six wickets for just nine runs as Australia secured a 176-run victory over the West Indies in the third and final Test. This win marked the second-lowest total in Test cricket history, with the West Indies being all out for 27 runs.

The match, held at Sabina Park, was the first day-night Test of the series, and Australia wrapped up the win in just 14.3 overs during the West Indies’ second innings. The victory completed a 3-0 sweep in the Frank Worrell Trophy series, showcasing Australia’s dominance throughout the series.

Starc, who was playing his 100th Test, reached a significant milestone by achieving 400 Test wickets. His performance was nothing short of spectacular, as he took three wickets in the opening over, including a triple-wicket maiden. In his first 15 deliveries, he claimed five wickets, which is the fastest five-wicket haul in Test history. Although he narrowly missed a hat-trick, Starc was supported by Scott Boland, who achieved his own hat-trick, removing Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph, and Jomel Warrican. Boland ended with figures of 3 for 2.

The West Indies fell just one run short of tying New Zealand’s record for the lowest Test score of 26. This was only prevented by a misfield from 19-year-old Australian debutant Sam Konstas. Only four West Indies batters managed to score, with the top six contributing just six runs combined.

Earlier in the day, Alzarri Joseph played a crucial role in dismissing Australia for 121 in their second innings. His performance of 5 for 27 set a target of 204 for the hosts. Australia had resumed on 99-6 but lost their remaining wickets within eight overs.

A Disappointing Performance from the West Indies

Despite the promising position, the West Indies batting crumbled under relentless Australian pace. Starc dismissed opener John Campbell with the first ball of the innings, and wickets tumbled rapidly from there. The West Indies’ batting lineup struggled to cope with the pressure, leading to a disastrous collapse.

West Indies captain Roston Chase acknowledged the efforts of the bowlers but admitted that the batting unit completely collapsed. “It’s a heartbreaking end. The bowlers gave it their all, but our batters didn’t step up,” he said.

This defeat highlights the challenges faced by the West Indies in maintaining consistency in both batting and bowling. Their inability to perform under pressure proved costly, as Australia capitalized on every opportunity to secure a dominant victory.

Overall, the match was a testament to Australia’s strength in Test cricket, particularly in the face of challenging conditions. With Starc’s exceptional performance and the team’s overall composure, they demonstrated why they are considered one of the strongest teams in the world.