Sunday, December 22, 2024

England vs West Indies: Mark Wood takes 5-9 and Ben Stokes hits England’s fastest Test fifty as hosts win Third Test

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Mark Wood took five wickets in a devastating spell of fast bowling as England wrapped up a 3-0 series victory over West Indies with an emphatic 10-wicket win in the third Test.

A raucous day three Edgbaston crowd roared Wood on after the lunch interval as his 5-9 in six overs spectacularly blew away the tourists, who began the day on 33-2, for 175.

Set a notional 82 for victory skipper Ben Stokes then hit England’s fastest-ever Test half-century off just 24 balls, as stepped in to open the batting.

Stokes, who finished unbeaten on 57, had opened with fellow left-hander Ben Duckett after regular opener Zak Crawley injured a finger in the field and thrilled supporters with some carefree Bazball hitting.

His knock included nine fours and two sixes as the hosts romped to the target in just 7.2 overs.

West Indies had earlier shown some resistance thanks to a maiden Test fifty for Mikyle Louis, while Kavem Hodge also made a measured half-century, before Wood supercharged the atmosphere with a superb spell.

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