Australia’s star fast bowler Mitchell Starc wreaked havoc against West Indies in the third Test match. Playing his 100th Test, Starc delivered a memorable performance by claiming a five-wicket haul in just 15 balls during the second innings. With this, he now holds the record for the fastest five-wicket haul (in terms of balls) in the history of Test cricket. Starc broke a 78-year-old world record previously held by fellow Australian Ernie Toshack, who had taken five wickets in 19 balls against India in 1947. England’s Stuart Broad and Australia’s Scott Boland have also achieved five-wicket hauls in 19 balls.
In the second innings, Starc bowled 7.3 overs, including 4 maidens, conceding only 9 runs and taking 6 wickets. This is now the best bowling performance of his Test career.
Along with this record-breaking spell, Mitchell Starc also crossed the 400-wicket mark in Test cricket—reaching the milestone in his 100th Test, a remarkable achievement for any bowler.
Fastest Five-Wicket Hauls in a Test Innings (by balls bowled):
- 15 balls – Mitchell Starc vs West Indies, 2025*
- 19 balls – Ernie Toshack vs India, 1947
- 19 balls – Stuart Broad vs Australia, 2015
- 19 balls – Scott Boland vs England, 2021
- 21 balls – Shane Watson vs South Africa, 2011
Thanks to Starc’s lethal spell, West Indies were bowled out for only 27 runs in their second innings. This is now the second-lowest total in Test cricket history.
With this dominant performance, Australia swept the three-match series 3-0 and made a strong start to the new World Test Championship cycle.