BIRMINGHAM (ENGLAND), July 28: Ben Stokes smashed the fastest Test fifty by an Englishman and Mark Wood took 5 for 40 with blistering pace as England beat West Indies by 10 wickets on the third day of the third Test to sweep the series 3-0.
The England captain needed only 24 deliveries here on Sunday to reach his half-century.
He finished on 57 off 28 balls and got the winning runs with a six off Kraigg Brathwaite. Ben Duckett contributed a 16-ball 25.
The opening pair scored at a run rate of almost 12 to hit 87-0 in 7.2 overs in England’s second innings.
Regular opener Zak Crawley had been sent for scans on a finger injury he sustained in the slips, giving Stokes the opportunity to promote himself to opener and entertain the Edgbaston crowd.
West Indies resumed on 33 for two but collapsed against Wood.
He took his wickets in a ferocious spell after lunch, dismissing Josh Da Silva, Alzarri Joseph, Kavem Hodge, Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph in the space of 21 dramatic deliveries.
By the time he was done the tourists had slumped from 156-5 to 175 all out, leaving England chasing just 82 to win.
Gus Atkinson claimed two for 28 and Stokes also contributed with the ball by claiming West Indies top-scorer Mikyle Louis for 57. Hodge was caught behind against Wood for 55.
England won the first Test at Lord’s by an innings and 114 runs, and the second Test at Trent Bridge by 241 runs. (AP)
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