EDGBASTON — England romped to a 10-wicket victory in three days to complete a 3-0 series whitewash of the West Indies after Ben Stokes struck the fastest half-century by an Englishman.
The hosts were set 82 to win at Edgbaston after bowling out the tourists for 175 in their second innings thanks to a haul of five for nine in six overs after lunch from Mark Wood.
And they motored to their target in just 7.2 overs after Stokes’ reached his fifty in 24 balls with a towering six off Shamar Joseph.
It saw England’s captain smash Ian Botham’s 28-ball record for the quickest Test half-century that had stood for 43 years and it was also the joint-third fastest fifty by anyone in Test history.
Stokes, opening after Zak Crawley injured a finger dropping a catch in the morning session, struck nine fours and two sixes to beat the mark Botham had set against India at Delhi in 1981.
It was the perfect end for an England team who had dominated all three Tests and who have finally got their Bazball mojo back after their 4-1 drubbing in India last winter.
97 runs @24.25
One score of 76 in the series opener at Lord’s and not much else thereafter. Story of his career.
178 runs @44.50
A pair of scores in the 70s at Trent Bridge, when he was at his destructive best.
239 runs @59.75
Century in second Test and a couple of half-centuries means this has been a good series for England’s No3.
291 runs @72.75
Back to his superlative best in this series and unlucky to miss out on a second century in the finale at Edgbaston.
197 runs @49.25
Solid if unspectacular series for the Yorkshireman. First home hundred at Trent Bridge a high point.
192 runs @48; 5 wickets @34.20
Rediscovered form with the bat in final two Tests and back to his best with the ball after two years of injury issues.
289 runs @51.75; 14 catches.
What a debut series for the young wicketkeeper. Good behind stumps and electric with bat in hand.
11 wickets @21.36; 134 runs @33.50
Got into the series after a slow start. Showed just why he is such a fine performer in home conditions with ball and bat.
9 wickets @20
Electric, hitting 97 miles per hour and shaking up the Windies. Stats did not do justice to his impact until his phenomenal final-day five-wicket haul.
22 wickets @16.22
That he ended his debut series as England’s best bowler says everything about just how good he has been.
9 wickets @27.22
Five-wicket haul on final day at Trent Bridge the highlight of the whole series. Young off-spinner has a bright future.
4 wickets @14.50
England’s greatest bowler signed off with four wickets in his final Test at Lord’s before calling time on his wonderful career.
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