Mitchell Starc showed his skills with the pink ball as Australia beat the West Indies by 176 runs in the third Test in Jamaica. The West Indies were bowled out for just 27 runs, the second-lowest total in Test history.
Scott Boland, who already had the best average in Test cricket since 1915, took a hat-trick in the second innings, backing up Starc’s strong performance. Australia won the series 3-0, keeping the Frank Worrell Trophy after wins in Barbados and Grenada. Starc also reached 400 Test wickets. The hosts did avoid New Zealand’s low of 26, set in 1955.
Starc, who won both player of the match and series awards, said that the bowling attack performed well throughout the series.
West Indies captain Royston Chase said his team needs to do a better job with the bat before the T20s on Monday. He said the batting was the weakness and they need to improve to be competitive.
The West Indies were chasing 204 after Australia lost their last four wickets quickly and were all out for 121 in their second innings. Alzarri Joseph had his best Test figures of five for 27, and Shamar Joseph took four for 34, finishing the series with 22 wickets and passing 50 Test wickets.
Starc’s bowling was the main story. He ended the first session with five wickets for six runs off five overs and finished with six for nine after bowling out Jayden Seales in the second session.
Playing his 100th Test, Starc started the second innings strong, dismissing John Campbell with the first ball and then getting Kevlon Anderson and Brandon King out on the next two balls. His 400th wicket was Mikyle Louis, who was out leg-before. At that point, the West Indies were five for four, and Starc had taken four wickets for no runs.
Starc then trapped Shai Hope lbw for his fifth wicket. It only took him 15 deliveries, the quickest five-wicket haul in Test history. Chase was then caught behind off Josh Hazlewood making the score 11 for six.
Boland then took a hat-trick, dismissing Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph, and Jomel Warrican in a row.
Boland said he was nervous bowling the last ball for the hat-trick and was just trying to bowl the ball in a good area.
Alex Carey was out due to a concussion after being hit by Alzarri Joseph. Josh Inglis took his place.
Download the CricInformer app
Take CricInformer with you. Get our app for cricket news and updates on your phone.