Australia v West Indies: New Zealand’s record test low score of 26 under threat before Windies crawl to 27 all out

Australia celebrate the dismissal of John Campbell of West Indies. Photo / AFP

West Indies have only just avoided matching New Zealand’s record low test score of 26 after being bowled out for 27 in the third test defeat against Australia today.

New Zealand’s test low, set in 1955, was under threat for most of the innings before the West Indies passed it with one wicket remaining.

West Indies were 11-6 at one stage before reaching 26-6. They then lost three wickets in succession as Scott Boland (3-3) took a hat-trick, the 10th Australian man to do so, leaving the home side 26-9.

But a Sam Konstas mis-field at gully, led to West Indies reaching 27 and avoiding sharing the record. One ball later, Mitchell Starc bowled Jayden Seales to end the match.

Starc finished with career best figures of 6-9, including taking three wickets in the first over of the innings. He recorded the fastest five-wicket haul in test history, needing just 15 deliveries, when he had figures of 5-2.

West Indies’ top six batters managed just six runs between them, a record low. Justin Greaves finished with a top score of 11, equal with Bert Sutcliffe’s top score when New Zealand made 26 at Eden Park against England.

Seven West Indies players finished with ducks with only four players troubling the scorers. They recorded just three boundaries. It could have been worse for West Indies with Konstas spilling two catches at slip.

“Heartbreaking to be in a position like this,” West Indies captain Roston Chase said after losing the test by 176 runs and the series 3-0.

“It has been recurring for the whole series, makes it all the more disappointing. It is quite easy to assess - the bowlers kept us in all along, batters never really clicked.”

Australia started day three at 99-6 and lasted just eight overs before they were bowled out for 121 - a lead of 203.

But it never looked under threat, especially after West Indies lost three wickets in the opening over, including John Campbell being removed first ball of the innings.

The West Indies innings lasted just 14.3 overs, the third shortest for a team losing all 10 wickets.

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