Mitchell Starc took the fastest five-wicket haul in Test match history as Australia secured a clean-sweep in their third Test against a woeful West Indies, who were dismissed for 27 in their second innings – the second-lowest innings score in history.
Starc removed John Campbell, Kevlon Anderson, Brandon King, Mikyle Louis and Shai Hope in 15 balls before tea, giving up just two runs in the process.
His lbw against Louis also brought up his 400th Test wicket, making him only the fourth Australian to achieve the feat, in his 100th Test match. Starc then returned to take his sixth wicket after tea to secure a 176-run victory.
The hosts, set a target of 204 to win, slumped to 0-3 in the opening over and only just avoided the worst-ever Test innings total.
At tea they were 22-6 before Scott Boland took a hat-trick to set up Starc’s starring conclusion.
New Zealand still just hold the all-time unwanted record with 26 against England in 1955, whilst the Windies’ lowest total until Monday had been 47 in their second innings of the first Test against England in 2004.
The previous best five-wicket haul was from Starc’s fellow Australian Ernie Toshack, who took five wickets in 19 balls against India in 1947.
More to follow…