BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) – In a spectacular display, England captain Ben Stokes dismantled the West Indies bowling attack, leading England to a resounding 10-wicket victory on the third day of the final Test at Edgbaston.
Stokes Sets Record with Blistering Half Century
Ben Stokes showcased his formidable batting skills by scoring the fastest Test half century by an English batsman, remaining unbeaten on 55 off just 28 balls. England, chasing a modest target of 82, achieved it in only 7.2 overs, with Stokes delivering a masterclass in aggressive batting.
Mark Wood’s Stellar Bowling Performance
The victory was set up by Mark Wood’s outstanding bowling performance, where he took five wickets in four overs, including three in a single over, to bowl out West Indies for 175 in their second innings. Wood’s spell cost just seven runs, leaving the West Indies batsmen reeling.
Zak Crawley Injury and Stokes’ Promotion
With Zak Crawley sidelined due to a hand injury, Stokes promoted himself up the batting order. The England captain capitalized on this opportunity, hitting the ball to all corners of the ground. Ben Duckett provided strong support, contributing 25 runs off 16 balls.
Record-Breaking Run Chase
England matched their own record for the fastest team to reach 50 runs in a Test, accomplishing the feat in just 4.2 overs. Stokes’ rapid 50 off 24 balls surpassed Ian Botham’s previous record of a 28-ball half-century, set in India in 1981.
Reflecting on his achievement, Stokes commented, “Pretty cool to go past Beefy (Botham) with that one. A bottle of champagne from him would be better appreciated than a well-done message.”
Wood Reflects on Bowling Brilliance
Earlier in the day, Wood’s exceptional pace and accuracy decimated the West Indies’ lower order. Reflecting on his performance, Wood said, “I’m proud of the fact I keep my speeds up. Over the years it’s been up and down but I manage to maintain it in these games. I’ve already watched the highlights of my spell twice and I’ll be watching them a few more times.”
West Indies’ Fightback Falls Short
Despite a resilient effort, the West Indies struggled to form meaningful partnerships. Mikyle Louis and Kavem Hodge provided a glimmer of hope with half centuries, but the team ultimately fell short. Louis, scoring 50, was caught at slip by Crawley off Stokes, while Hodge, after reaching his half century in 56 balls, was caught behind off Wood’s bowling.
Looking Ahead
Following this emphatic win, England will gear up for a three-Test home series against Sri Lanka, starting on August 21. Meanwhile, the West Indies will return home for a two-Test series against South Africa beginning next week.
This comprehensive victory not only highlighted England’s dominance but also set the stage for exciting upcoming cricket series for both teams.