In one of the most dramatic collapses in Test history, Mitchell Starc etched his name into the record books with a sensational five-wicket haul in just 15 balls. It is now the fastest in the format's long history.
The left-arm pacer tore through West Indies' batting in Sabina Park, Kingston as Australia sealed a crushing win inside three days. West Indies were bowled out for 27 runs in their fourth innings.
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The 27 runs posted by the hosts is the second-lowest innings total in Test cricket history and the lowest for West Indies.
Starc picked up two wickets in his first over, an opening that set the tone for what followed. His final figures read 6 for 9, also the best performance by any player in their 100th Test match.
Fastest five-wicket hauls in Men's Tests
Before Starc's Sabina Park spell, the fastest known five-wicket hauls in Test cricket belonged to three bowlers: Stuart Broad, Scott Boland and Ernie Toshack - each taking five wickets in 19 balls.
The Aussie quick shattered that mark with a devastating 15-ball burst that decimated the West Indies' second innings.
| Player | Opponent | Venue | Year | Balls to 5 wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | West Indies | Kingston | 2025 | 15 |
| Stuart Broad | Australia | Nottingham | 2015 | 19 |
| Scott Boland | England | Melbourne | 2021 | 19 |
| Ernie Toshack | India | Brisbane | 1947 | 19 |
The West Indies collapse was not just about Starc, though. The team recorded seven ducks -- the first instance of such a collapse in Test history.
Their six top-order batters combined for just 6 runs - a new low in the format. Starc's bowling also helped Australia dismiss the opposition in just 14.3 overs - one of the shortest all-out innings in the game's history.