Ben Stokes Shines with Record-Breaking Fifty as England Sweeps West Indies 3-0

Ben Stokes hit the fastest Test fifty for England, leading his team to a series whitewash against West Indies at Edgbaston. England chased down 82 runs in just 7.2 overs, wrapping up the match with a clinical bowling performance.

England skipper Ben Stokes delivered a record-breaking half-century, the fastest for his country in Test cricket, as an all-round England team triumphed over the West Indies to secure a 3-0 series win at Edgbaston. On Sunday, Stokes hammered a 24-ball half-century, guiding England to chase down a target of 82 runs in just 7.2 overs.

The match, which was still competitive heading into day four, turned decisively in England's favor thanks to a clinical bowling performance led by Mark Wood. Wood took an impressive five for 40, with all five wickets coming in a spell where he conceded only nine runs. With a target of 82, Stokes (57* off 28 balls, featuring nine fours and two sixes) opened the batting alongside Ben Duckett (25* off 16 balls with four boundaries) and launched a relentless attack from the outset.

Stokes began the innings aggressively, hitting two fours in the opening over off Alzarri Joseph and adding two more in the following over by Jayden Seales. Racing to his half-century off just 24 balls, Stokes made history with the fastest Test fifty by an Englishman and the joint-third-fastest in Test cricket history. The West Indies had initially won the toss and opted to bat, posting 282 runs in their first innings, with notable contributions from Kraigg Brathwaite, Jason Holder, and Joshua Da Silva. England responded strongly with a lead of 94 runs, thanks to significant partnerships and resilient batting, particularly from Joe Root, Stokes, Jamie Smith, and Chris Woakes.