Australia bowled out West Indies for just 27 - the second lowest score in Test history, and the worst since 1955 - to complete a 176-run win and series clean sweep in Jamaica.
The Windies total on the third day of the day-night Test in Jamaica was just one run more than New Zealand’s 26 all out against England in 1955. The previous lowest total by West Indies was the 47 they managed against England in 2004.
Australia pace bowler Mitchell Starc, playing in his 100th Test, took 6-9 in figures that included five wickets in 15 balls.
It is the fastest five-wicket haul in Test cricket and also took Starc passed the 400 wicket mark in the longer form of the game.
Seamer Scott Boland also weighed in with a hat-trick as the tourists won the series 3-0.
“It’s heartbreaking to be in a position where we think we can win the game and then come out and have that poor batting display,” said Windies captain Roston Chase, whose side needed 204 for victory having bowled out the tourists for just 121 in their second innings.
“It’s something that has been recurring for the whole series - that makes it even more disappointing.”
Australia had resumed day three of the day-night pink-ball Test on 99-6 but only added 22 runs as Alzarri Joseph took 5-27 for the hosts.
The Windies reply started with left-armer Starc, 35, dismissing John Campbell with the first delivery before he trapped Kevlon Anderson leg-before and bowled Brandon King with his fifth and sixth balls respectively as all three went without scoring.
Starc took out Mikyle Louis, who had scored four, and Shai Hope (2) in his third over to leave the hosts on 7-5 after 4.3 overs.
Josh Hazlewood removed Roston Chase for a duck to reduce the West Indies to 11-6 before Boland’s hat-trick.
The right-armer dismissed Justin Greaves, who top-scored with 11 of the 27, Shamar Joseph and Jomel Warrican in the 13th over.
A misfield allowed West Indies a run with the score on 26 before Starc bowled Jayden Seales to end the hosts’ innings and give him his 402nd Test wicket, while also reaffirming his status as the best exponent of pace bowling with the pink ball in Test cricket.
“It’s been a fantastic series,” said Starc, who became the fourth Australian to pass the 400-wicket mark as he followed Nathan Lyon, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne in reaching the landmark.
“We’ve seen some difficult batting conditions throughout but a fantastic series for us. It’s been a good few days, really enjoyable. I go home with a smile on my face.
“Our bowling attack has been pretty on the money throughout the series and today was another case of that.”
The teams will contest a five-match T20 series next, which begins on 21 July in Jamaica.
- Agencies
