Mitchell Starc Takes Quickest 5-Fer In Test History; Scripts History In 100th Test

In arguably the most extraordinary opening spell in the history of Test cricket, Mitchell Starc shattered a world record in his 100th Test as he took the quickest five-fer in Test history, needing just 15 balls to take five wickets. The previous record belonged to Australia’s Ernie Toshack (who took five in 19 balls against India in 1947) but Starc shattered it in the first session of day three of the third Test against West Indies at Sabina Park, Jamaica. 

Fastest 5-wicket hauls in Tests

15 balls - Mitchell Starc vs WI, Kingston, 2025

19 balls - Ernie Toshack vs IND, Brisbane,1947

19 balls - Stuart Broad vs AUS, Nottingham,2015

19 balls - Scott Boland vs ENG, Melbourne, 2021

21 balls - Shane Watson vs SA, Cape Town, 2011

In the process, Starc also took his 400th wicket in Test cricket, becoming only the second Australian pacer, after Glenn McGrath, to get to the landmark. 

Starc began the outrageous spell off a wicket of the first ball of the innings, getting opener John Campbell caught behind with a vicious ball that swung in and then seamed away. Debutant Kevlon Anderson survived three balls but he shouldered arms to an inswinger on his fourth, and had to make his way back to the pavilion. Brandon King then went for an ill-fated drive the very next ball and lost his stumps as Starc got to 399.

The returning Mikyle Louis was Starc’s 400th Test victim, and his fourth on the day, as the right-hander got done by an inswinger. And the record-breaking fifth wicket was that of Shai Hope, who was also trapped in front. 

At the time of the fifth wicket, Starc’s figures for the innings read 2.3-2-2-5.