Cricket is a funny game, until it isn't. If you’re a fan of the Windies, the mid-2025 tour by Australia wasn't just a series of losses; it was a soul-crushing reality check. We all know the history. The Frank Worrell Trophy used to be the gold standard of world cricket. It was fire vs. fire. But what we saw in Kingston during the third Test in July 2025? Honestly, that was something else entirely. 27 all out. Just let that number sink in for a second.
It’s the second-lowest score in the history of Test cricket. Only New Zealand’s 26 against England back in 1955 was worse.
People talk about the "glory days" of the Caribbean pace battery, but the 2025 West Indies v Australia series showed us a different kind of extreme. It wasn't just about the scoreboards; it was about a relentless, almost clinical destruction by a world-class bowling unit. Australia didn't just win; they essentially dismantled the local side's confidence across three Tests and five T20s. They swept everything. Every single game.
The Sabina Park Massacre (And that 400th Wicket)
The third Test at Sabina Park was supposed to be a chance for redemption. Australia had already bagged the series after wins in Bridgetown and St. George’s. The Windies were chasing a target of 204. In modern cricket, that’s a competitive but manageable total. Instead, the match lasted 87 balls.
Mitchell Starc was in one of those moods where he looked like he was playing a different sport. He was playing his 100th Test, which is a massive milestone anyway, but he decided to turn it into a career-defining highlight reel. He took three wickets in the very first over. Think about that. Before the fans had even settled into their seats with a drink, the top order was gone.
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Starc trapped Kevlon Anderson LBW for a duck—Anderson’s debut, by the way, talk about a "welcome to the big leagues" moment—and then cleaned up Brandon King.
"We didn't think it would happen that quickly today," Starc said afterwards, probably with the biggest grin on his face.
He reached 400 Test wickets in that innings, joining the likes of Warne, McGrath, and Lyon. But the real kicker was the speed. He grabbed a five-wicket haul in just 15 deliveries. That's a world record. 15 balls. Basically two and a half overs to destroy a national team's middle order.
Scott Boland and the Hat-Trick No One Saw Coming
While Starc was the wrecking ball, Scott Boland was the surgeon. Boland has this weird cult hero status in Australia, mostly because he looks like a guy you’d meet at a local BBQ who just happens to bowl 140kph with metronomic accuracy. After the tea break on Day 3, he decided to join the history books too.
He took a hat-trick.
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Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph, and Jomel Warrican. Bang, bang, bang. Just like that, the West Indies were 27 all out. Seven players made ducks. It was a statistical anomaly that felt like a fever dream. If you were watching it live, you kind of kept waiting for the comeback, for that one partnership to steady the ship. It never came.
Why the West Indies Batting Collapsed (Again)
You’ve got to feel for Roston Chase. Taking over the captaincy in the middle of a transition is a nightmare. He called the performance "heartbreaking" and a "new low," and he wasn't exaggerating. The problem wasn't just the swing; it was the mental scars.
Earlier in the day, the Australians had actually struggled. They were bowled out for 121 in their second innings. Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph were steaming in, taking 5-27 and 4-34 respectively. For a moment, it looked like the West Indies had a genuine sniff at a victory.
But this is where the gap between the two teams shows. Australia can have a "bad" day with the bat and still rely on a bowling attack that treats a 200-run lead like a 500-run lead. The Windies top order—John Campbell, Mikyle Louis, Brandon King—just didn't have the technical answers for the pink Dukes ball under those conditions.
- West Indies Lowest Scores: 27 vs Australia (2025)
- Previous Low: 47 vs England (2004)
- Starc’s Figures: 6-9 in 7.3 overs
- Boland’s Impact: 3-2 in 2 overs (including the hat-trick)
The T20 Slog: A Different Kind of Pain
If the Tests were a slow-motion car crash, the T20Is were a high-speed chase where the West Indies kept running out of gas. Australia won the series 5-0. It was the first time they’d ever swept a five-match T20 series away from home.
The games were actually closer than the Test matches, but the result was the same. In the third T20 at Warner Park, Shai Hope smashed a brilliant 102*. He was striking it beautifully. You’d think 214/4 would be enough to defend.
Then Tim David walked out.
David basically decided he didn't want to stay out there for long. He hit a 16-ball fifty and a 37-ball century. It was the fastest T20I hundred by an Australian. They chased down 215 with nearly four overs to spare. It was a demoralizing display of power hitting that made a world-class score look like a schoolyard target.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Rivalry
There’s a common narrative that West Indies cricket is "dead." People say the talent isn't there anymore because all the best athletes are playing basketball or chasing T20 franchise money.
That’s a bit of a lazy take.
Look at Shamar Joseph. The guy is a genuine superstar. He took 22 wickets in the Test series. Alzarri Joseph is world-class. The bowling is actually okay. The issue is the batting infrastructure and the lack of "big match" temperament when the pressure is on. Australia, conversely, plays a style of cricket that thrives on pressure. They’ve got guys like Travis Head (who scored 224 runs in the Tests) and Cameron Green (205 runs in the T20s) who just don't know when to quit.
Key Takeaways from the West Indies v Australia 2025 Tour
If you’re looking for a silver lining, it’s hard to find one for the hosts. However, the stats tell a story of a team that can compete for 70% of a match but falls apart in the "clutch" moments.
- Bowling is the only weapon: Shamar Joseph is the real deal. He reached 50 Test wickets during this series and consistently troubled the Aussie greats. If the Windies are to rebuild, it's around him.
- Batting requires a total overhaul: When your captain is calling for "batting greats" to come in and help after a 27-all-out, you know the domestic system isn't preparing players for elite swing and seam.
- Australia's depth is terrifying: They played without several key regulars at times, gave debuts to guys like Matthew Kuhnemann and Mitchell Owen in the T20s, and still didn't lose a single game on tour.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Australia is now looking ahead to the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. They look like the team to beat. Their ability to find match-winners in every position—whether it’s a veteran like Starc or a powerhouse like Tim David—is unparalleled right now.
For the West Indies, the road back is long. They have matches scheduled against Bangladesh and a T20 series in early 2026, but the "27 all out" label is going to haunt them for a while. They need to find a way to bridge the gap between their natural flair and the technical discipline required for the longest format of the game.
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If you're following the upcoming 2026 calendar, keep an eye on the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup. There’s a high chance these two meet again in February in Mumbai. Whether the Windies can flip the script by then remains the biggest question in Caribbean sport.
Actionable Insight for Fans: Keep a close eye on Shamar Joseph's workload. He is currently the most valuable asset in Caribbean cricket, but the transition to being a multi-format spearhead is grueling. For Australia, watch the transition of their "Big Three" bowlers (Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins). This tour showed that while they are aging, they are somehow getting more lethal, especially with the pink ball.
If you're betting or playing fantasy leagues for the next series, never bet against Mitchell Starc in a milestone match. The man lives for the big occasion.