Last Updated on 9 months ago by Charbel Coorey
West Indies have endured one of their worst days in history, bundled out for 27 at the hands of a ruthless Australian attack at Sabina Park. Chasing 204 for victory after an inspired second innings performance with the ball, the hosts were all but gone after the first over, losing three wickets to a rampant Mitchell Starc.
It only got worse from there as the hosts were bowled out for the second-lowest score in Test history. Starc, playing his 100th match, took the fastest five-wicket haul in history, achieving the feat in just 15 deliveries. The left-armer had the ball on a string, and the West Indies top order simply had no answers to his immaculate control of swing and length.
There was no respite at the other end as Pat Cummins wasn’t even required. Josh Hazlewood was miserly as ever, taking 1/10 in his five overs, including three maidens. Then, Scott Boland soon entered the fray, and on a pitch offering plenty of assistance, it was only a matter of time as to when the Test – and series – would be over.
Boland took a hat-trick, dismsissing Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph and Jomel Warrican via expert targeting of the stumps. It was another wonderful moment in Boland’s Test career, with this hat-trick added to a list of glittering achievements including 6/7 in his debut Test in the 2021/22 Ashes and the 10-wicket haul against India at the SCG earlier this year.
Mitchell Starc then finished with career-best figures of 6/9, cleaning up Jayden Seales to seal a mammoth victory. Seales, who had given his fair share of send-offs in the series, copped one in return as Australia completed a 3-0 series sweep.
“Embarrassing” – Fans react to West Indies 27 all-out
Australia scored 225 and 121, and still won by 176 runs. The Jamaica Test took a similar turn to the previous two, with the Windies blown away in the fourth innings after the bowlers kept them in the game. This, however, was a whole new level of annihilation.
Ian Bishop was scathing of the Windies batting on commentary. “This is ridiculous, he just finish bowling 5.2 overs ago, now he has to pick up the bat,” said Bishop of Alzarri Joseph.
The Caribbean Cricket Podcast were particularly critical of the performance and state of West Indies Test cricket. “For Bish [Ian Bishop] to finally lose it and call the performance wretched you know he’s been taken there. I’m just laughing cos I’ve known about these men for time. When I said relegate us to tier 2 men didnt want to listen,” they wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Here are some of the reactions to the carnage, including praise for Australia’s magnificent fast bowlers.
Despite the difficulties faced in the batting department, Australia leave the Carribean with a 3-0 series win. Questions remain about the top order ahead of the Ashes later this year, but with the bowling attack in this groove, they will remain difficult to beat.
