Starc Strikes Early in 100th Test as West Indies Trail After Australia’s Batting Collapse

The match also marked notable changes in the West Indies side, with Anderson, Louis, and spinner Jomel Warrican coming in.

By DTD- On Jul 13, 2025

Jamaica – Mitchell Starc made an early impact in his milestone 100th Test match as Australia bowled under the lights on the opening day of the third day/night Test against the West Indies at Sabina Park. The West Indies closed the day on 16 for 1 in reply to Australia’s first innings total of 225.

Starc, who was dismissed for a duck during Australia’s late-order collapse, claimed his 396th Test wicket by bowling debutant Kevlon Anderson off the inside edge. The left-arm pacer gave Australia a crucial breakthrough with the pink ball after their own batting lineup faltered in the final session.

Australia, at one stage well-placed at 157 for 3, lost their last seven wickets for just 68 runs in a frenetic end to the day. Despite solid starts from most of their top order, no batsman managed to convert into a significant score. Steve Smith top-scored with 48, while Cameron Green contributed 46 in a 61-run partnership—the only real highlight during a largely pedestrian first two sessions.

“It was almost like he was batting on a different wicket,” Green said of Smith’s innings. “I was really struggling out there, but clearly he is a class above.”

Green, who is still unable to bowl for another three months due to injury, expressed satisfaction with the team’s position after Day 1. “We just wanted to give them a tricky last 45 minutes, and to get them one down is really crucial.”

West Indies faced early adversity as openers John Campbell and Mikyle Louis were injured in the field, forcing Kevlon Anderson and Brandon King to open under challenging conditions. Captain Roston Chase will join King on Day 2, with the hosts hoping Campbell and Louis recover in time to bat later in the innings.

Shamar Joseph once again led the West Indies bowling effort with 4 for 33, bringing his series tally to a remarkable 18 wickets. Jayden Seales and Justin Greaves supported well with three wickets each, exploiting a pitch that offered significant seam movement and some turn—raising eyebrows over Australia’s decision to omit seasoned spinner Nathan Lyon in favor of seamer Scott Boland.

Australia’s batting approach turned aggressive late in the day, with skipper Pat Cummins smashing back-to-back sixes off Seales in an attempt to accelerate the scoring and give their bowlers time under lights.

The match also marked notable changes in the West Indies side, with Anderson, Louis, and spinner Jomel Warrican coming in. The series finale might also signal the end of an era, as veteran opener Kraigg Brathwaite, who played his 100th Test in the previous match, was dropped for this encounter.

With the series already sealed 2-0 in Australia’s favor, the West Indies will be looking for a face-saving performance, while Starc eyes his 400th Test wicket milestone in his centenary appearance.