Starc’s Six-Wicket Blitz, Boland’s Hat-Trick Seal Historic Rout as West Indies Crumble for 27

In one of the most dramatic collapses in Test cricket history, West Indies were skittled for just 27 runs in their second innings as Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland ran riot on day three at Sabina Park. The astonishing collapse handed Australia a 176-run win and a 3-0 series whitewash, leaving the hosts stunned and the cricketing world in disbelief.

Playing in his 100th Test, Starc delivered a performance for the ages, claiming 6 for 9, including three wickets in his first over and reaching the 400-wicket milestone. Boland, not to be overshadowed, took 3 for 2, including a stunning hat-trick as West Indies slumped to 14.3 overs of humiliation with seven ducks in the innings.

A Day of Destruction

Set a modest target of 204, West Indies resumed day three at 143 all out in the first innings. Despite Alzarri Joseph’s 5 for 27 and Shamar Joseph’s 4 for 34 bundling Australia out for 121, it was the final innings that turned the match into an instant classic — albeit for all the wrong reasons for the home side.

Starc struck with the very first ball of the innings, removing John Campbell caught behind — the fourth time in his career he's struck first ball. He followed that up four balls later with a plumb lbw to Kevlon Anderson, who inexplicably reviewed it, and then bowled Brandon King with a vicious inswinger.

Suddenly, West Indies were 0 for 3, joining an unwanted list of teams to have started that badly in a Test innings.

Records Tumble as Starc Shines

Starc wasn’t done. He dismissed Mikyle Louis lbw in his next over to claim his 400th Test wicket, becoming only the fourth Australian to reach the milestone after Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, and Nathan Lyon. Moments later, he trapped Shai Hope to complete his five-wicket haul in just 15 balls — the fastest five-for from the start of an innings in Test history, beating the previous record by four deliveries.

By then, West Indies were reeling at 11 for 6, with Josh Hazlewood chiming in to remove Roston Chase caught behind. It was only Justin Greaves and Alzarri Joseph who briefly held off the inevitable, managing to scrape to tea.

Boland’s Hat-Trick Seals Collapse

After tea, Boland entered the spotlight with a stunning spell of his own. He dismissed Greaves, Shamar Joseph, and Jomel Warrican in consecutive deliveries to complete a hat-trick — his first in Tests. The West Indies narrowly avoided equaling the lowest-ever Test total (26), thanks to a misfield in the gully, but Starc fittingly ended proceedings with the final wicket to complete a sensational team performance.

Score Summary:

Australia: 225 (Smith 48, Green 46; Shamar 4-33, Greaves 3-56) & 121 (Green 42; Alzarri 5-27, Shamar 4-34)
West Indies: 143 (Campbell 36; Boland 3-34) & 27 (Starc 6-9, Boland 3-2)
Result: Australia won by 176 runs, take series 3-0

A Series to Forget for West Indies

Shamar Joseph was a bright spot for West Indies with 22 wickets at 14.95, the best by a Caribbean bowler against Australia since Courtney Walsh in 1999, but his heroics were overshadowed by a batting unit that crumbled repeatedly.

Chase described the defeat as “heartbreaking and embarrassing” — sentiments that will be echoed across the Caribbean as the team regroups from one of their most crushing Test defeats ever.

For Australia, it was a tour defined by pace dominance, historic milestones, and an unforgettable performance by Mitchell Starc that will go down as one of the finest ever in pink-ball Test cricket.