Australia Skittle Windies for 27 – Lowest Test Total in 70 Years
In a historic and utterly one-sided display of fast bowling, Australia demolished the West Indies for a paltry 27 runs on the third day of the day-night Test in Jamaica, clinching a 176-run victory and a commanding 3-0 series sweep. This shocking collapse marks the second-lowest total in Test cricket history and the lowest in 70 years, eclipsed only by New Zealand’s 26 all out in 1955. For the West Indies, it was a humiliating nadir, surpassing their previous record low of 47 set against England in 2004.
Mitchell Starc’s Ruthless Masterclass
The architect of this demolition was Mitchell Starc, playing his 100th Test, who delivered one of the most devastating spells in cricket history. The left-arm quick annihilated the West Indies’ top order, finishing with staggering figures of 6-9—the fastest five-wicket haul in Test cricket, achieved in just 15 balls. His ferocious swing and pinpoint accuracy left the hosts shell-shocked, as he surpassed 400 Test wickets, joining an exclusive club of Australian bowling legends.
Starc struck with the very first ball of the innings, trapping John Campbell lbw before clean bowling Brandon King and dismissing Kevlon Anderson in a single over. His rampage continued in his third over, removing Mikyle Louis and Shai Hope to leave the West Indies in tatters at 7-5. The carnage didn’t stop there—seamer Scott Boland compounded the misery with a hat-trick in the 13th over, sending Justin Greaves (the top scorer with a meager 11), Shamar Joseph, and Jomel Warrican packing. A misfield briefly spared the hosts from equalling New Zealand’s infamous 26, but Starc fittingly ended the innings by castling Jayden Seales, cementing his reputation as the ultimate pink-ball destroyer.
West Indies’ Batting Failures Exposed
West Indies captain Roston Chase struggled to hide his despair after the match, calling the collapse heartbreaking. His side had been in a promising position, having bowled Australia out for just 121 in their second innings and needing 204 for victory. It’s something that’s been recurring the whole series—that makes it even more disappointing, Chase admitted. The repeated batting failures became a painful theme, with no batter showing the resistance required to counter Australia’s relentless attack.
Australia’s Bowling Dominance in the Series
This Test had already been a low-scoring battle, with Australia posting 225 in their first innings before skittling the West Indies for 143. Despite their own second-innings collapse, the visitors’ bowling unit stormed back with brute force, dismantling the hosts in a mere 14.3 overs. Starc’s six-wicket haul, Boland’s hat-trick, and Nathan Lyon’s ever-reliable spin underlined the gulf in class between the two sides.
It’s been a fantastic series, Starc reflected, now the fourth Australian bowler to reach 400 Test wickets after Lyon, Glenn McGrath, and Shane Warne. Our attack has been relentless, and today was another reminder of that.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
With the Test series wrapped up, both teams will now shift focus to the shorter format. A five-match T20 series begins on July 21 in Jamaica, offering the West Indies a chance to reset and address their glaring batting deficiencies. For Australia, the challenge will be to translate their red-ball dominance into white-ball success.
For cricket fans, this Test will forever be remembered as a brutal exhibition of fast bowling. Australia’s demolition of the West Indies for 27 stands as a stark testament to their supremacy in Test cricket—a performance so commanding that it rewrote the record books and left an entire nation in disbelief.
(Related topics: West Indies cricket, Australia cricket, Test records)
